Aluminum to Steel

[Firegirl]

Hi Guys. I need to weld or braise aluminum to plate steel. It does not need to be a structural support, it just has to stay in an upright position. I have an Arc Welder and an O/A setup...which would you recommend? Thanks

[pete46]

I don't think it's possible[hope i'm wrong]the melting point for aluminum is to low compared to steel .
would a rivet work?

[Thomas Dean]

Bend a leg on the end of the Al. and bolt/rivit to steel. Welding the 2 won't work...as Pete said.

[LDW]

I have never done that but, check this out. Brazing, Soldering & Welding

[Dodge]

Apparently, there are methods to do this but the process is simply not something practical for the usual home hobbyist or even professionals unless that is specifically what they do. However here is another link discussing the same topic that explains more. How do you weld steel and aluminum together? Hope this is helpful

[Firegirl]

Thanks for the help guys...It's a sculpture piece, and if I have to I'll use a cold connect method, but since I'm welding the steel part anyway, I was trying to be consistent.

[Glenn]

Why not look into industrial adhesives. They have glues for steel to steel application, and if I remember the TV program correctly, the glue bond holds and the steel tears.

[ThomasPowers]

The do that all the time out here using explosive welding.

Note that dissimular metals can have a FIERCE galvanic effect and things oxidize away in a very short time. Are you sure you need the two in contact?

[Dodge]

Me thinks, that would be one of the processes a home hobbyist would want to avoid

[Firegirl]

Explosive Welding??? Sounds Dangerous...Please tell me this is a joke!!! Anyway, if Glenn could maybe give me the name of that industrial adhesive he mentioned, I think I'll try his method...although I am going to order that Super Alloy welding rod from the website Dodge suggested and play with it later...I'll let you all know how it turns out