Removing Warping In Aluminum Sheet Metal

A 5356 filler metal also works for 5052 materials specifically.

Removing warping in aluminum sheet metal.

And you can use the same technique anytime you need a straight cut on aluminum or other light gauge sheet metal even steel. Thermal correction of metal warping is premised on the idea of creating local stress that is high enough to pull back the metal warped back to shape during cooling. The warping of metal during the welding process is due to the high levels of heat involved. Arc welding mig and tig entails fusing a filler metal with the materials being joined.

Techniques for welding sheet metal. Filler metals for either of these would be 4043 or 4943. This restraint creates high residual tensile stress that causes the weld to act like a stretched rubber band with the workpiece holding the ends figure 1 for this reason when the clamps that hold the workpiece are removed the base metal is allowed to move or spring. Typical aluminum alloys for sheet fabrication are 3003 and 5052.

When i experimented sandblasting etched designs into plexi glass plastic acrylic glass with aluminum oxide abrasive i noticed it actually start to melt the plastic. Spot heating is ideal for removing warping in your thin metal sheets. To prevent burn through and warping don t whip or weave the torch. The weld wants to shrink as it cools to room temperature but is restrained from doing so by the adjacent cold base metal.

Long story short the sides have to be welded together to make a full side. In the process heat is applied to certain spots on the convex side of the warped metals. When welding steel this weld bead is laid down at around 2 500 f 1 370c. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade.

Sheet metal warping because of heat peening of sandblast abrasive in my honest opinion sheet metal may warp when sandblasting due to a little bit of both reasons. That heat spreads out making the metal expand. An ounce of prevention the battle between hot cold. The more time the arc is in an area the hotter it.

Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it. Then as the bead cools and solidifies it contracts but by this time the metal pieces are fused together. Use anti warping devices and techniques.