[Gamble]

Does this stuff weld any different than 5052 or 6061?

Cut out some parts, cleaned the edges as I normally do. Nothing different and it just welds like complete ****. Grab a piece of 6061 and 5052. Prepped the same way with the same tools and it welds beautifully.
Or is it possible to just get some ****ty material sometimes?

 

[ManoKai]

Did you try 4043 filler? 4043 filler is commonly selected for fusing 3003 to 6061; and 1100 filler for welding 3003 to 3003. Believe 3003 is used in the automotive industry for interior panels, etc. Welded a sample of 3003 back a few years, don't recall having any puddle issues. What assembly are you creating?

 

[Gamble]

I use 4943 only.

 

[Gamble]

Switched welders, same torch, roughly same settings and it welds better. WTF?!?

 

[C. Livingstone]

You know,

I wondered the same thing not too long ago. I mean, the 3003 seems more commonly available in small sections of a sheet, which is what I usually seem to end up buying online.

But I'm still new enough to TIG welding on aluminum, that I chocked it up to my own inexperience, even though my small projects go well enough. But I did notice that of my two filler rods, the 5356 seemed better than 4043 on it.

 

[Willie B]

I don't know what the details of your issues are. I always prefer 4943 over 4043. Where other fillers are the first choice ignore this, but 4943 melts at a slightly lower temperature than 4043, or the base metal, so it is a bit like brazing in that there is less heat introduced to the work. It wets in easily, and is ultimately stronger. The differences are not huge, but real.

My local metal dealer only special orders anything but 6061. He argues that only in bending does it make sense to use other alloys. Annealing 6061 makes it bend perfectly well, and my brake puts a bit of radius in a bend. I'm not nearly intelligent enough to understand the value in numerous alloys. With the exception of cast, I don't see much difference in alloys when forming a weld. Typically, weld failures for me are the result of a leak, bad positioning, turbulence. In other words, shielding.

When you can, rule out the alloy being the problem by switching the alloy, and otherwise duplicate the situation. Don't let other factors convince you that alloy is your issue. Gas coverage is hard to diagnose. We can't see gas, or air. If gas isn't surrounding the arc, it won't work.

Willie

 

[Showdog75]

I weld quite a bit of 3003 and never have any issues. 4043 is what I typically use but I've got to get some 4943.

 

[Gamble]

I weld quite a bit of 3003 and never have any issues. 4043 is what I typically use but I've got to get some 4943.

Let me know if you try 4943. I about got rid of everything else. But weird, different welder and it's better. I'm going to play around with it a bit more and see what happens.
I always get 5052 since it bends easy, welds great and is cheaper than 6061. But my local place gets 3003 and 6061 and since it's being bent I am stuck. They can special order me 5052 but I have to wait and pay more.

 

[M J D]

It doesn't directly apply, on MIG I use 4043 or 4943 with almost identical settings on 3003 aluminum. No issues with either alloy, altho I pretty much have switched to 4943.