Комаров Артём о технологии сварки магния и магниевых сплавов (eng)
Artem Komarov noted that magnesium is the lightest metal on earth and also one of the most abundant elements to be found in our Earth’s crust. Its strength to weight ratio makes it very useful for both aerospace and race cars. A bonus to this metal is that it remains free from corrosion, which means it can be used in a variety of applications.
Here are some general points to keep in mind about magnesium welding.
Magnesium can be a difficult metal to weld
Magnesium can be difficult to work with and therefore may not be a common choice for most welders. The metal has a flash point of 833º F and ignites easily. It burns at 4,000º F. While difficult to work with, if the correct welding method is used and proper precautions are taken, magnesium welding can be successful, Artem Komarov said.
In the event of a magnesium fire, it can only be extinguished by depriving it of oxygen or using a class D fire extinguisher.
Identification of the base metal as magnesium before starting the welding process
It may seem that base welding 101 identifies the metal before starting the welding process, but this is especially important when welding with magnesium, as it can often be confused with aluminum. Magnesium is rarely found in free form in nature because it is highly reactive. For this reason, you must be aware of what magnesium alloys are present in your base metal. Common magnesium alloys include manganese, zirconium, and zinc.
Determination of alloy composition
It’s also important to know what alloy composition you’re working with, as different alloys have different filler requirements. The best way to find out about this is to consult the manufacturer.
TIG welding is best for magnesium
Although several types of welding processes can be used for magnesium welding, the ideal method is tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, which may also be known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). This is a process invented in the 1940s specifically for use in welding both magnesium and aluminum.
TIG welding is considered the most difficult type of welding because it requires more coordination and practice than other forms of welding.
For example, a foot pedal is used to control the length of the arc while both hands remain occupied. One gives the sacrificial rod, and the other hand directs the electrode to the work surface. Again, always keep the best safety practices in mind, as magnesium is a highly reactive metal. It can be helpful for a novice welder to seek help from a peer in learning this method, summed up Komarov Artem.
