alloy of aluminum in the 360 body...

Here is my WAG. Most Al cars like NSX/ audi use 6xxxseries alloy in extrusions and rocker panels etc.. So I'd think about using ER5356 for course TIG as oppesd to general purpose 4043.

 

Your problem is heat cracking via issues with the heat effected zone and or liquation. I have not tried to weld a 360 myself. But TIG aluminum

1) Did you try preheat which under some conditions will alter the properties of the alloy welded or

2) fast weld high heat convex bead

3) clean the crap out of it to decrease the oxide layer was a given.

4) try using a tab of aluminum and start eh weld to get everything hot and run off the tab and into your work piece? This is more a of way to get a hot start

5) Try running multiple small beads and join them together instead of one long pass? This will relieve stress in the run.

While the exact filler rods are important 5356 and 4043 are so universal I would be surprised if the 360 was not a common alloy that would use these fillers. Ferrari is just too cheap to use an exotic aluminum.

 

A 24 hour window implies 2024 which after heat treat will age to full hardness at room temperature in 24 hours...it doesn’t crack when welded though, it just turns soft, weak metal.

5356 rod is generally for 5000 series aluminums I think, it's harder and would be more prone to cranking. Many things that are designed to be welded in manufacture are a 5000 series because it maintains it’s mechanical properties after welding….but it shouldn’t be cracking for you.

Magnesium welds nice with alum rod, but then the entire fill region cranks and pops right out - a guy I used to work with had made a 2x4 with a weld bead glued in that he would give new guys as an example and hand then a 2x4 to practice welding, pretty funny.

My guess is a 7000 series…they crack. I don’t know how the factory is welding it.

 

I think factory uses MIG

 

ha ha,

yes, factory uses all MIG, , w/ robots...
And,,,,,,,, you have to use strip heaters to do Aluminum tig.
(period)

Edwardo

 

well then I guess all you need now are some robots

 

I got your Robots right here.
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