Welding aluminized pipe

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Feb 28, 2005 | 07:13 AM

70_Shark

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 352

Likes: 1

From: Minneapolis Minnesota

Welding aluminized pipe

I'm getting ready to weld my exhaust and was wondering if the aluminized pipe gives off any dangerous gases like galvanized metal?
Just trying to stay out of trouble. Thanks.

Feb 28, 2005 | 07:34 AM

MYBAD79

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,269

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From: Orlando Florida

St. Jude Donor '05

Use a sandpaper wheel or wirebrush-wheel to remove the aluminum from the weld area.
It's not only the weld quality (splatter) - it really stinks very bad and smokes when it burns off the pipe during welding ... it's not very healthy either....

Feb 28, 2005 | 09:16 AM

ffas23

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 2,817

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From: Somerset, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70_Shark

I'm getting ready to weld my exhaust and was wondering if the aluminized pipe gives off any dangerous gases like galvanized metal?
Just trying to stay out of trouble. Thanks.

To tell you the truth I never had a problem with it. I Mig Welded header collectors to aluminized pipe on my Street Rod and never noticed anything special as far as any dangerous gases. I have also welded aluminized pipe on other occasions and been around others welding it. Most all the replacement exhaust for cars is aluminized anymore and being in the parts business that I am in I have never heard of anyone complaining about any gases when going around to the repair shops over the years and I see plenty of shops now and in the past working with their Mig Welders on this aluminized exhaust. Go and get a piece of scrap aluminized pipe and do a couple of welds to it and see for yourself. I usually keep pieces around so that I could set my Mig welders heat and wire speed up before working on the project at hand.

Feb 28, 2005 | 09:20 AM

MYBAD79

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,269

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From: Orlando Florida

St. Jude Donor '05

Although it may not be a problem to weld it, it will burn off anyway in that area that you weld... so why not clean it off the pipe prior to welding ?
I welded aluminized and galvanized pipe and I have to admit that sometimes I was just too lazy to get the coating off... it's not going to hurt the weld, the exhaust is going to rust anyway, no matter what you do... unless you use stainless pipes....