ESAB's Guide to Mig Wires and Tig Rods for Aluminium Welding

As the world's leading manufacturer of aluminium welding wire, ESAB provides not only an exceptionally broad range but also extremely high quality. The publication explains some of the steps that ESAB takes to ensure the quality of its aluminium welding consumables. For example, a unique shaving technology removes the wire's oxide skin and produces a smooth and absolutely clean surface, after which the wire is coated with a microscopically thin layer of a patented, hydrogen-free lubricant. Together, these procedures enhance feedability, aid the achievement of X-ray quality welds, and reduce fume. In addition, precise control over the spool cast (diameter) and helix ensures that constant welding parameters are maintained not only from one end of the spool to the other, but also from batch to batch.

The high quality of ESAB's aluminium welding consumables not only boosts productivity in high-volume applications such as shipbuilding, but also them suitable for porosity-sensitive processes such as laser beam welding and electron beam welding.

Most of ESAB's aluminium wires are available in Marathon Pac bulk drums to increase productivity; compared with the frequent changes need when using 7kg spools, the 141kg Jumbo, 80kg Midi and 25kg Micro Marathon Pacs enable production to continue uninterrupted for considerably longer - while also reducing the labour requirement for wire changes. Indeed, the new brochure includes a table that illustrates the substantial cost savings that can be realised by using Marathon Pacs.
A further table shows the OK Autrod MIG wires and OK Tigrod TIG rods with their various approvals, and another helps readers to select the optimum wire or rod to suit different base alloys.

Additional information in the booklet covers accessories for Marathon Pacs, and equipment for maintaining contact tips and feed rollers in order to avoid problems relating to burnback or feeding.