MIG welding on any type of brass material is possible, even for gilding metal. However, zinc has a reduced melting point compared to copper. Hence, knowing the zinc percentage in the material is crucial to avoid overheating.
This will ensure successful MIG welding.
What Welding Type Is Used For Brass?
You can use both MIG and TIG welding approaches to weld brass. But welders need to be careful while shifting zinc across the welding arc.
Choosing a suitable filler metal is vital for welding brass. You can use 3% copper silicon alloy or 7%-12% copper-tin alloy to weld brass successfully.
Can I Really Weld Brass Using MIG?
The melting point of brass ranges between 900 to 940 degrees Fahrenheit. That means brass is a metal with lower melting point. But the material is prone to buildup porosity and crack once you divide the alloys. It is crucial to use ideal shielding gas and filler wire for successful welding.
The filler metal you choose must have enough zinc to avoid or minimize burnout issues. More importantly, you want to use a low heat input due to the high arc temperature. Keeping the weld in a flat position is necessary to avoid manipulating the weld puddle. You should keep attention while welding metals with lower melting point, as it may melt away if extended power is employed.
How to MIG Weld Brass (Step by Step)
Here are the necessary steps to follow to weld brass using the Metal Inert Gas welding method.
- Step: 1— Cutting the Brass Pieces
First, cut the brass material into pieces. You can use pliers or a hacksaw to cut it. But shears come in handy for cutting brass sheet. Cutting brass tubing requires you to use a saw or a cutter tool.
- Step: 2— Bending the Brass
The next task is bending the brass items. However, different approaches need to be applied based on the brass type. For example, you can use pliers to bend a brass wire.
A bending jig must work effortlessly on a heavy brass rod. Place the rod into the slots, clamp it downward using the jig, and bend it with your hands.
- Step: 3— Preparing the Working Area
Welding works involve hazardous issues. Adequately preparing the working area is crucial. Also, take all the safety measures to avoid risk. Arrange for enough ventilation to get off fumes quickly. You can install a few fans too.
Step: 4— Cleaning the Brass Pieces
Are your brass pieces dirty? You can use special brushes to get rid of dirt from the brass surface. If they have lacquer, remove them too. Sandpaper or Scotch Brite pads come in handy to clean brass. Finally, use alcohol to eliminate debris and must get off the alcohol substances.
- Step: 5— Firmly Positioning the Brass Pieces
Unwanted movements while welding can destroy your entire welding project. Keeping the welding pieces firmly in a particular position and angle is vital. You can use clamps to keep brass pieces together. But don’t keep the joint area where you will weld.
- Step: 6— Wearing the Safety Equipment
Before starting the welding procedure, wear all the protective gear to keep yourself safe. Wear safety goggles, flame-resistant clothes, non-flammable shoes, leather gloves, and an N95 mask.
- Step: 7— Choosing the Right Shielding Gas
Make sure the shielding gas you choose has 25% carbon dioxide and 75% argon. Otherwise, zinc oxide might be produced while welding. It will affect your welding results.
Plus, keeping welding sessions short is necessary. Constant welding increases the heat heavily. Small breaks during welding will provide enough time for the molten puddle to cool off.
- Step: 8— Turning On the All Settings
The next task is threading the welding wire using the welder reel. Then, use a torch tip to get it out. Make sure to maintain at least ¼ inches distance from the torch to the welding wire. Once you turn on the welding gas and set up the wire, begin the welding procedure.
- Step: 9— Starting the Welding Process
Welding can be initiated from any last section of the joint. But maintaining a 30 degrees angle is crucial while you hold the torch. Make sure your torch is powerful enough to handle brass items on its flame tip.
Turn off the heat if it appears excessively and handles the weld seam deposit.
- Step: 10— Finishing the Welding Process
Finally, move the torch forward gradually to fill its joint while maintaining a consistent angle. Make sure to cool off the casting, and the brass should not be shaken off until it becomes appropriately cool.
That’s all the steps you need to follow for MIG weld brass.
What Do You Need To MIG Weld Brass?
1. Gas Requirement
As already mentioned, MIG Welding for Brass requires a shielding gas with 75% argon and 25% carbon dioxide. Make sure to keep enough shielding gas to avoid running a gas shortage in the middle. Otherwise, Toxic fumes will generate from it.
2. Filler Wire Requirements
CuAI8 is the filler wire for welding Brass through the MIG welding method. It may not give the best color. But, the result will be better than other filler wires. Aim at choosing a filler metal that has a considerable amount of filler metal.
3. Safety Equipment
Protecting your entire body from top to bottom while welding brass is crucial. Fire may touch accidentally. Wear an opaque welder’s helmet with eye protection, special welding gloves, heat-resistant jackets, ear muff or plugs, and rubber-soled shoes.
4. Welding Area Selection
Choosing a perfect welding area is vital to keep you safe and succeed in your welding project. Don’t forget to remove all the fire hazards from your welding location. Also, keep the place open and well-ventilated to allow the fumes to blow out quickly.
5. MIG Welder Requirement
Using the MIG welding approach, you can use flux-cored brazing alloy for welding brass. It has increased strength and higher melting temperature to handle ferrous metals easily.
Can You Weld Brass to Steel with A MIG Welder?
You can weld brass to steel with a MIG welder. But it is highly risky. Plus, the welding procedure will generate a lot of heat. It can affect the joint quality of the weld.
It is not easy to ensure optimal welding strength and perfect steel appearance while welding brass to steel with a MIG welder. Instead, you can use the soldering or blazing method.
Also check out:
Can You MIG Weld Brass To Brass?
You can use MIG weld brass to brass. But, it is vital to know the zinc percentage in the brass metal to avoid overheating. Also, don’t forget to use Oxyacetylene gas.
This type of gas can provide increased protection for the MIG weld brass. Plus, it will prevent releasing toxic fumes. It can affect the welding work.
Final Thought
Are you still wondering about this question: Can you MIG weld brass? The formula for successful welding is highly correlated with the right equipment and preparation.
But knowing the correct MIG welding technique is crucial too. We are sure that if you follow all the procedures step-by-step with bonus tips, you can get a quality welding result.
Source
- Twi-global
- https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Weld-MIG-Welding/
