MetFab - Welding Fume Handbook - Flipbook - Page 44
12.3 Aluminium welding
MIG
Alumaxx® Plus is the optimum gas for
welding all thicknesses of aluminium
and its alloys, and is particularly
beneficial when high deposition rates
are required.
Environmental
None of the gases commonly used for
MIG welding of aluminium and its
alloys offered a significant advantage in
reducing particulate fume emissions.
Particulate fume emission rate is high
when welding Al/5%Mg alloy, but
substantially lower when welding pure
aluminium.
Argon/helium mixtures reduce
exposure to ozone, making them the
preferred choice environmentally.
Alumaxx® Plus provides some of the
lowest exposures, and in view of its
performance in welding, Alumaxx® Plus
is therefore recommended for welding
aluminium.
TIG
Alumaxx® Plus is the optimum gas
for TIG welding of aluminium and its
alloys.
Environmental
Particulate fume emission for TIG
welding of aluminium and its alloys is
very low. The choice of shielding gas
in health and safety terms is therefore
based on ozone emissions.
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As in MIG welding, the use of
argon/helium mixtures reduces
exposure to ozone. Alumaxx® Plus
is therefore recommended because
of its combination of welding and
environmental performance.
