Plasma cut Aluminum Plate

By saf6 Date 07-27-2001 19:13

If an aluminum plate (1/2" thick, 6061-T6 for example)
has been cut to size using plasm cutting,
and then has been surface prepped by the use of minimal
grinding & wire brushing,
are you prone to trapping gases/porosity due to the plasma cut
edge (surface)?

By bhiltz

Date 07-30-2001 13:20

I suppose that porosity may be a problem depending on the weld joint, I cut all my aluminum with a carbide tipped blade in the skill saw or on the table saw, we get a far cleaner cut.

By Mike Brace (**)

Date 07-30-2001 17:41

In a word NO. With the use of a grinder to dress the edges of the cut to remove any carbon from the edge you should not have any welding problem related to Plasma cutting. If the weld is "critical" nitrogen can be used which has no carbon. This will elemenate any possability of cantamination.