Al-GMAW - straight run or whipping motion?

Hi again

Al-GMAW

Some say - straight run Others say - weave or "whip"

You say??

Rich S

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Latest - running smoothly

5083 Al plate 6mm thickness 5356 GMAW wire 1.2mm (47thou") diameter in spray at 9.8m/min (385"/min) and about 22.8V reported. Smooth run, no manipulation. Looks good. Is good?

Only remaining problem is the restarts. Often burn-back to the torch / contactor tip. Blob of Al against contactor tip which prizes off without harm if quick off the trigger. Not yet worked out how to avoid that.

If I could solve that, I'd be doing rather well. No other problems remaining

I'm left totally puzzled why Pulse is used on this 6mm thickness when you'd be a "clean" spray anyway...

In spray doing overhead - 4F/PD - no metal ejection, not getting burned. Basis to insist on CV spray, as getting covered in burns using Pulse, which was ejecting a drop of spatter per pulse.

Now finding every other position good.

I was worried the weld beads are too smooth suggesting excessive heat input - but

- am on only about 210A to 220A (Linc.Elec. A for 9.8m/min with

1.2mm-dia wire) at just under 23V - low-end of L.E. volts range.

- any drop in V by a tiny amount or wire-feed-speed / Amps causes a coarse unwetted bead and raspy arc - only just in spray indicate the concern is misplaced - the beads are smooth and that is the way it is not problem (the reference state being Pulse welded bead appearance)

Rich S