Aluminum Welding Wire ER5183 is an industrial-grade aluminum MIG welding wire

Aluminum Welding Wire ER5183

Aluminum Welding Wire ER5183 is an industrial-grade aluminum MIG welding wire that's typically used for marine, refrigerated industrial structures and equipment, as well as low-temperature storage tanks and containers. This aluminum welding wire offers high-impact fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, so it's ideal for applications in environments that may be exposed to brine or seawater corrosion.

This aluminum welding wire is most commonly used with the GMAW (gas metal arc welding) process, where it's fed through a welding gun along with a shielding gas, usually argon or a combination of argon and helium. This protects the weld puddle from atmospheric contamination and helps to ensure a clean, high-strength weld. ER5183 is available in both stick and wire feed varieties and comes in 36" (914 mm) or 39" (1005 mm) lengths.

Welding aluminum is more difficult than other types of metals due to its lower melting point and higher heat conductivity. Because of this, the weld puddle must be hot and travel fast to keep the melting temperature above the ambient air temperature. This can result in burn-through, especially when welding thin sheets of aluminum. To prevent this, welders should use a higher amperage setting and/or a higher travel speed than they would for other types of materials.

Additionally, it's important to properly preheat the base material before welding, as a thinner preheat can cause warping of the weld bead. It's also a good idea to use a subplate to help prop up the base metal during the weld, as this can help to improve the appearance of the finished weld.

Another common issue with MIG welding aluminum is that it tends to be more reactive than other metals, which means that the weld puddle can easily be burned through or cracked by a sudden change in the electrical current. This can occur even if you're using a lower amperage setting than you normally would and can be especially frustrating if you're trying to achieve a very fine weld bead.

To minimize this effect, you should always keep a higher travel speed and lower amperage setting when MIG welding aluminum. You should also use a spray transfer mode of welding, as this will help to keep the weld puddle cool and avoid burning through it. Additionally, you should make sure that your tip is recessed about 1/8" inside the nozzle to prevent it from becoming too close to the aluminum weld puddle or to the shielding gas. Lastly, you should always wear a welding helmet and gloves, as well as an apron to protect yourself from radiation, high heat and molten spatter.

ER5183 Aluminum Welding Wire