Process Stability of Automated Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminium

Abstract

For modern transport systems Aluminum is getting of growing importance. To fully utilize this potential economic, effective and stable joining technologies have to be available. However, the special features of Aluminium materials like high heat conductivity, oxide formation, pore and hot cracking susceptibility require special measures for high quality welding especially for thin sheet metals. New developments in gas metal arc welding power sources, torches and wire feeders for Aluminum welding to overcome these problems will be described. Besides the technological factors system aspects and their influence an process stability and manufacturing up-time will also be discussed. Actual and potential future applications of these new developments will be demonstrated.