What type of shielding gas should I use for aluminum welding?
aluminiumsheet > 12-17-2019, 06:35 AM
For both TIG Welding (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or GTAW) and MIG Welding (Gas Metal Arc Welding or GMAW) use pure argon for aluminum materials up to ½" in thickness. Above ½" in thickness, operators may add anywhere between 25 to 75 percent helium to make the arc hotter and increase weld penetration. Argon is best because it provides more cleaning action for the arc than helium does and it is also less expensive than helium.
Never use any shielding gas that contains oxygen or carbon dioxide, as this will oxidize the aluminum.