Although I'm certified to weld most everything else, I haven't welded magnesium.
The information I'm providing comes from Modern Welding Technology fourth
edition.
I'm not familiar enough with the M-274, but assume that the bed is not pure
magnesium, but an alloy. TIG and MIG can both be used to weld magnesium alloys,
TIG for thinner materials. For MIG, the material welds much like aluminum
alloys, with pure argon the most common shielding gas, although argon-helium
mixtures can be used. Rod selection depends on the composition of the base metal
alloy.
The most common sheet and plate alloys are AZ31B and HK31A. AZ31B is 3.0%
aluminum, 0.45% Manganese, 1.0% Zinc, with the rest Magnesium - the recommended
filler rod to be of AZ61A or AZ92A. HK31A is 0.7% Zirconium, 3.0% Thorium, the
balance Magnesium - recommended filler rod to be EZ33A. Sorry, don't know brand
names for these rods.
Not too sure the thickness of the bed material, but for GMAW of 1/4" the
procedure calls for V-groove and fillet with .063 rod, 240-290 Amps, 24-30
volts, wire speed 550-660, gas flow 50-80, 2 passes at 24-36 in/min.
Be glad to send recommendations for other thicknesses. I can try to get the rod
brand names for you.
Emmett Thompson wrote:
> Hello again list
> Yes I am familiar with magnesium from my aircraft experience i.e. A&P, FE
> TURBOJET. I cannot help it though when I wonder how this stuff is welded
> together. I am also aware of the fire hazards indicative of magnesium. most
> transport category aircraft still have magnesium wheels and they do get hot.
> I just heard from a friend of mine that works in a aircraft tire shop that
> they take the paint off with a good quality "aircraft paint stripper" and
> they avoid any "blasting" whether media or walnut husks.
> I cannot find out what gas is used in mig welding nor can I find magnesium
> wire for the mig.
>
> Any way, if I fill the holes with a machineable metal type filler I would
> assume that I could have "dissimilar metal corrosion" where the repair was
> made. I hate to use bondo....... Yes I know I am asking a lot, but the "I
> did it myself" or "I can do anything I put my mind to" attitude is deeply
> ingrained in my ego.
>
> Famous last words
> Emmett
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 04 2001 - 08:10:47 PDT