Quick Welding Question

[thisOrrthat]

We have a carbon fiber box with an aluminum support attached to it. Is there a way to weld to the aluminum with out damaging the carbon fiber under it?

[Blondie3160]

If its a small weld you could use a heat sinc, you could try putting another piece of aluminum there to get the heat off it, youd have to do it fast. maybe a spacer that doesnt conduct heat (stainless sheet metal between the two would be best). [im writing what our mentor told me so i may have missed one way that he said but he said all that]

[Blondie3160]

Basically just try not to heat it too much or something close

[EricH]

I asked my dad (who used to work with composites for a living). His first comment did not have to do with welding, but with a galvanic issue. Apparently, aluminum and graphite don't like each other, and the effect is accentuated by moist environments (which would probably include at least part of Missouri). It's a slow process, but you may want to add something between the two and hope it hasn't started.

His second comment was that the heat will transfer. If you can remove the box from the aluminum, that's your best bet. Otherwise, use some way of getting the heat off of the aluminum if you can.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Blondie3160

If its a small weld you could use a heat sinc, you could try putting another piece of aluminum there to get the heat off it, youd have to do it fast. maybe a spacer that doesnt conduct heat (stainless sheet metal between the two would be best). [im writing what our mentor told me so i may have missed one way that he said but he said all that]

This is good advice in general... Use as big a heat sink as you can, weld quickly or in very small, very spread out periods. My general answer would be: probably not, unless you disconnect them.

[thisOrrthat]

Thanks for your help guys, Ill let you know how it goes.

[WELDERBOSS]

The composit will warp not likly to be good to TIG weld with it on contact.