Aluminum Welding Wire for Cryogenic Tanks

Specification

Applications and Solutions

• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Tanks: Welding the large internal and external containment tanks for marine carriers and land-based storage facilities (operating at −162∘C).

• Aerospace Fuel Tanks: Fabrication of tanks for liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen on rockets and spacecraft (operating down to −253∘C).

• Scientific Research Equipment: Welding dewars, cryostats, and superconducting magnet enclosures used in physics and medical research.

• Air Separation Units: Welding heat exchangers and cold box structures operating under extremely low temperatures in industrial gas production.

FAQ

• Q: Why is aluminum alloy 5083 the preferred material for LNG tanks?A: 5083 base metal (and its filler ER5183) is selected because it is a non-heat-treatable alloy that maintains its high strength and, crucially, its high fracture toughness when cooled to cryogenic temperatures, unlike ferritic steels.

• Q: Can ER4043 be used for cryogenic applications?A: No. ER4043 is generally unsuitable for high-stress cryogenic applications. The Al-Si eutectic phase becomes brittle at low temperatures, leading to a significant and unacceptable reduction in fracture toughness.

• Q: What is the most common weld defect in cryogenic tank fabrication?A: Porosity is the most common defect. In cryogenic applications, a pore acts as a severe stress riser, compromising the mandatory fracture toughness. Our low-porosity wire processing is critical to mitigating this risk.