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Anodized aluminum welding

I am having problems welding anodized pipe to look good. I can weld aluminum pipe good. I am using 4043 tig rods and argon-helium mix.

Rob Alexander
alexanders welding - Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
2004

You will never get it to look good. The aluminum oxide - Anodize- that is on the surface of the pipe will become a suspension in the molten aluminum pool as you weld. This will give the weld an irregular dark surface that will appear to be rough. Remove the anodize and you have a chance at a decent looking weld. Either way, what are you going to do for anodize on the welded area?

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004

Hey, check this out. Back fill a spot at a time and then go back over it forwards a spot at a time and you should have a nice "skunk tail" down the center of the bead where the pure aluminum is and the anodized is separated to the edge. Dude it looks good and I do T-Tops and towers out of anodized pipe. Welded often IN THE BOAT.

Michael E. Conces
- Englewood, Florida
2006

I have found that using a relitively fast / hard pulse works extremely well to getting an aestetically pleasing weld. I use argon with no helium. The reason for this is helium gives a tarnished tone to the weld, but more penetration. I use 5052 wire great compatibility with anodizing or painting. There is a paint for going over your welds that blends nicelyon an anodized/brushed finish.

Aaron Halsey
- Bath, North Carolina
2007

What paint is used to go over your welds on anodized aluminum? The paint blends nicely on the welds on my boat's t-top.

John Manfra
- Rumson, New Jersey
May 4, 2011