Removing Warping In Aluminum Sheet Metal

Use anti warping devices and techniques.

Removing warping in aluminum sheet metal.

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. The warping of metal during the welding process is due to the high levels of heat involved. That heat spreads out making the metal expand. A 5356 filler metal also works for 5052 materials specifically.

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. When welding steel this weld bead is laid down at around 2 500 f 1 370c. 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. In the process heat is applied to certain spots on the convex side of the warped metals.

Filler metals for either of these would be 4043 or 4943. Then as the bead cools and solidifies it contracts but by this time the metal pieces are fused together. Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it. The more time the arc is in an area the hotter it.

Wanted to build with sides made of full sheets of 1 4 6061 aluminum but the engineer had other plans. Arc welding mig and tig entails fusing a filler metal with the materials being joined. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. An ounce of prevention the battle between hot cold.

Even seasoned pros who perhaps haven t had a serious issue with a warped piece of sheet metal in a long time can gain new insight from some of these tips. Long story short the sides have to be welded together to make a full side. 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. To prevent burn through and warping don t whip or weave the torch.

Spot heating is ideal for removing warping in your thin metal sheets. I started welding one side today a 15 piece to a 48 piece 77 5 long. And you can use the same technique anytime you need a straight cut on aluminum or other light gauge sheet metal even steel.