Metal Inert Gas welding is getting more popular daily for being easy and versatile. But when it comes to Mig welding titanium, it might give you a panic attack as titanium isn’t as common as steel and alloys. As a result, people often ask, can one mig weld titanium?
The answer is “yes!”
In fact, Titanium welding through a Mig welder will be child’s play if you follow the proper steps, select the correct filler wire, and get the ideal shielding gas. Cleaning the surface is equally necessary before you start welding.
For more information, follow me, and let me guide you through this detailed article-
Is It Hard to Weld Titanium?
Fortunately, titanium welding is easy-peasy as it has similarities with nickel alloys and stainless steel welding. Following the same technique of welding those materials, you’re allowed to weld titanium, fabricating it in almost every shape possible.
How to Mig Weld Titanium
Despite having similarities with typical steel in terms of steps, titanium has some unique characteristics that make it different from each other. For instance, it features lower density, higher melting point, gets contaminated easily, and so on.
In this case, following a specific guideline is crucial for successful welding. Go on to see what you need to perform –
1.Pre-welding Preparation
Perfectly-welded titanium appears to be a reflective and shiny object. But to achieve that, you must go through each step thoroughly; these are as follows:
a) Clean the Surface
Preparing the surface of your titanium is your first duty. While dealing with such materials, it’s a must to be extra careful. Ensure to get rid of the rust, oil, grime, paint, and cutting fluid, as they are considered harmful contaminations.
The workspace, surface, and filler rod must be cleaned up to stay out of a weld failure. Take off every single particle that is not necessary for the character. In this case, I suggest utilizing a chemical cleaner made of titanium.
Get your hands on sodium hydroxide and a steam cleaner to wipe the contaminations away from the workspace. After that, utilize an air blower to eliminate moisture. Make sure the tool doesn’t get into contact with any flammable chemical while blowing.
Sometimes, rubber gloves and the cleaner include chlorine, which isn’t friendly with titanium. So ensure to check them twice to confirm, and I’d recommend using plastic/cotton gloves.
b) Select Right Wire
The filler wire you use must be capable of holding similar-level properties compared to the titanium’s base. Depending on the joint combination and properties, the choice of picking up a file wire comes to your preference.
According to expert welders, the filler metal must decrease yield strength when working with unalloyed titanium. As an alternative, you can choose between the classifications of Ti-6A1-4V and Ti-5A1-2.5Sn to enhance the joint’s flexibility.
Compared to the base material, the amount of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen should be lower in percentages.
When it comes down to Mig welding, using a solid filler metal is ideal. For top-quality titanium welding, the technique involves pulsed current is cost-efficient, especially for a titanium plate of 13mm thickness.
c) Select Right Shielding Gas
Most welders like to use pure Argon for welding titanium plates, as it offers excellent protection against the atmosphere. You must choose a trusted supplier while purchasing the shielding gas. Or else, an impure may result in discoloration, mottle, and tint.
Let’s familiar with the three shielding to get the most out of your titanium welding:
- Primary Shield
It is ideally located at the welding torch, offering the primary coverage needed for the molten weld.
- Secondary Shield
Indeed, a trailing shield tends to offer secondary protection against contaminations. You’ll find it at the welding torch’s end, keeping the heat-affected places safe and secure.
- Backup Shield
You won’t find it pre-adjust into your welding torch just like the primary and secondary. That said, it looks similar to trailing shields, which serve a similar functionality.
d) Select Right Mig Welder
Here is where you need to be smart enough. Chances are your whole struggle will go in vain if you mistakenly choose the wrong welder, even if you collect the correct mig wire and shielding gas.
You should use The Mig welder around 200-220V, including 140 Amps, for optimal results. Thus, you’ll find the welder much more powerful and capable of dealing with thicker aluminum plates.
D.C. (direct current) is the only ideal choice to weld through titanium. So make sure you get your hands on the dc-friendly Mig welder.
2. How To Mig Weld Titanium (Step by Step)
a) Step-1: Collect Necessary Safety Dresses
Before welding, collect all the essential safety gear needed to keep yourself safe during a titanium weld. These are as follows:
- Gloves
- Leather shoes or boots
- Suitable welding helmet
- A face mask
b) Step-2: Cylinder Preparation
As you’ve picked up the pure Argon as a shielding gas, you must prepare the cylinder straight away following the guidance of the manufacturer. Welders must generally meet the correct ratio to best use shielding gas. Either choose pure Argon or make the mixture of 25% Argon and 75% Co2.
c) Step-3: Current Strength Adjustment
Compared to steels, you’ll find the titanium less thick. As a result, it is prone to get damaged if you mistakenly turn the heat level up.
Instead, reducing heat is the safest option for welding a 13mm or less thick titanium.
d) Step-4: Begin Titanium Welding
Once you’ve adjusted the current strength and prepared the cylinder, it’s time to start welding titanium. Hold the Mig gun firmly, and don’t rush while joining pieces of titanium.
After you’ve got your desired size and shape, turn off the welder and go for an observation.
e) Step-5: Let the Material Dry
You shouldn’t touch the surface of titanium immediately after the weld. Instead, please wait for a couple of minutes or so, allowing it to get fully relaxed.
Afterward, check for the observation to see if everything is okay. If you find any issues, you’ll have to restart the welder to fix them.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.’s):
Can you mix weld titanium exhaust?
The answer is ‘yes.” Since titanium has similarities with alloy and stainless steel, you can smoothly Mig weld titanium exhaust.
What type of welder is used for titanium?
Although I’ve shared the easiest method to weld through Mig welding titanium, other common choices are available, including T.I.G. welding, P.A.W. (plasma Arc Welding), L.B.W., and R.W.
Do you weld titanium on A.C or D.C?
Titanium welding is a straightforward project. Unlike the A.C, the direct current (D.C.) is the ideal choice to weld titanium for being smoother, easier, and has more stable arcs with less spatter.
Last Words
Mig welding titanium doesn’t require you to follow any complicated steps. All you need to do is go through the essential techniques, and you’re good to go.
Alongside the steps, you must pay equal attention to choosing the correct filler wire, shielding gas, and safety gear.
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