ER4943 Washington Alloy

[shovelon]

Washington Alloys now markets ER4943 as an alternative to Hobart/Maxal That means it might be cheaper and more readily available. Even though my LWS stocks it for me it is still special order from Hobart. Everybody carries Washington Alloy fillers.

[jakedaawg]

Some time I would like to find a 1# package just to try it with cast Al. Currently I use only 5356 and it performs well. Have yet to have anything come back. I just wonder if it would help with the dirty cast lower units I repair skegs on. 4043 certainly does not do well. I have 9+#'s I will never use. Anyone want to trade 9# for a couple pounds of 4943 3/32"? Shipping would probably make it not worth the effort though.

[LtBadd]

Arc Zone has the 1lb pack.

[shovelon]

Arc Zone has the 1lb pack.

Awesome find. Now anyone can try it out.

[shovelon]

Some time I would like to find a 1# package just to try it with cast Al. Currently I use only 5356 and it performs well. Have yet to have anything come back. I just wonder if it would help with the dirty cast lower units I repair skegs on. 4043 certainly does not do well. I have 9+#'s I will never use. Anyone want to trade 9# for a couple pounds of 4943 3/32"? Shipping would probably make it not worth the effort though.

I agree with you on 4043. Like 4047, 4043 was originally developed as a brazing filler and really has poor mechanical properties IMO. I have replaced all of my 4043 usage with 4047 for porosity control, and 4943 for superior wetting and the 20% increase in strength over 4043. 4943 was formulated by Maxal as a replacement for 4043, however it seems slow to catch on. Hopefully with Washington Alloys getting in the picture that will change.

I think 5356 is still your best bet on castings for it's strength and ductility over 4000 series fillers as long as service temps are kept below 150 degrees as the magnesium will corrode. At that point I reach for the 4943.