Aluminum Wire for High-Purity 5XXX Alloys

Specification

Applications and Solutions

• Nuclear Components: Welding heat exchangers, piping, and support structures where long-term material stability and low activation are required.

• Submerged Marine Structures: Welding components that will be permanently underwater, requiring the highest resistance to pitting corrosion.

• High-Performance Tanks: Fabricating specialized storage vessels for critical chemicals where impurity leaching must be minimized.

• Military and Naval Vessels: Welding critical aluminum hulls and decks where the highest level of corrosion protection is mandated by defense standards.

FAQ

• Q: Why is iron (Fe) contamination a major concern in high-purity aluminum?A: Iron forms brittle, intermetallic phases (Al3​Fe) in the aluminum matrix. These phases are cathodic to the surrounding aluminum, creating micro-galvanic cells that actively initiate pitting corrosion when exposed to electrolytes like saltwater.

• Q: How is high-purity 5XXX wire made differently from standard 5XXX?A: It requires using higher-grade (more expensive) primary aluminum billet with inherently low tramp elements, and stricter controls during melting and casting to prevent contamination before drawing.

• Q: Does the Mg content in the filler need to be tightly controlled?A: Yes. While the Mg provides the strength and corrosion resistance, its content must be precisely controlled to avoid reaching levels that increase the susceptibility to SCC when heated during welding.