Aluminum to Steel

[Dodge]

Explosion welding is real, but, as far as I understand, only done on a large scale such as laminating a sheet of aluminum to a sheet of steel. The process that I saw was done underground under extremely controlled conditions. I seem to remember the steel sheet being something like 6' x 10' x 3 or 4" thick and the aluminum (or may not have even been aluminum) was thinner but same sized rectangle. It was featured on History Channel's Modern Marvels - Welding. Also, Check this out. Explosion welding

[irnsrgn]

Back in the 60's, the Navy was removing the steel upper decks from its destroyers and replacing with an all aluminum prefabbed upper deck, the Aluminum upper deck had a steel transition piece adhered to it so the whole thing could be arc welded to the hull of the existing destoyer.

Check out your local body shop, van tops, vehicle side panels and fenders and Door hinges are now fastened to the vehicle body with glue.

[ThomasPowers]

Explosive welding is a solid state fusion process used to weld many dissimular materials. Here at New Mexico Tech we have the Energetic Materials Research and Training Center that deals with explosives for a number of industrial processes---like making diamonds, explosive welding and even art! On campus are a number of art pieces made using explosives and they are not all that large. EMRTC also teaches first responder classes for Fire and LEO people dealing whith chemical, radiological and explosive dangers.

It is dangerous; but then so is a bottle of Acetylene or 10 gallons of gasoline, things many of us have around us on a daily basis.

[Covforge]

I had been told Tig could be used so I contacted Lincoln and this is what they said,"Unfortunately there is not a way to TIG weld Aluminum to Mild Steel. These materials will not fuse together."
Travis

[tompdw]

Explosive welding is for real. That is how dissimiliar metals are joined. This is done under very strict conditions. This is not some guy with two pieces of metal and some dynamite. This is how the metal is made for U.S. quarters.

[fat pete]

curiosity....what would happen if you took a torch and heated a spot on the plate and touched the aluminium on it????
inquiring minds want to know!!!!!

[Glenn]

3m 4941 is a closed cell acrylic foal with a acrylic adhesive on both sides. 50% of strength upon application, 100% strength (1000 psi) at 72 hours. Application at room temp (above 55*F), and weathers very well.

3M™ VHB™ Tapes provide the convenience and simplicity of a tape fastener and are ideal for use in many interior and
exterior bonding applications. In many situations, they can replace rivets, spot welds, liquid adhesives and other permanent
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[Dodge]

Originally Posted by fat pete

curiosity....what would happen if you took a torch and heated a spot on the plate and touched the aluminium on it????
inquiring minds want to know!!!!!

Just a guess, Pete, but I believe if it was hot enough to fuse the aluminum, it would flash for a moment and then not stick. Otherwise, it just wouldn't be hot enough and not stick anyway. Many other metals can fuse easier than others. Aluminum to steel? Its just one of those mysteries of the universe

[pete46]

I'm With Dodge On This ,when I've Used Aluminum It Just Dissolves More Than Melts.

[DEERESMITH]

Firegirl, If you go to any automotive body shop, they will be able to tell you which adhesive to use for your application. They may even help you glue it using there product if you take your item along.
I am a mechanic at a Ford dealer. We also have a body shop. The body guys have "glued" things together for me using a product called "panel bond"
This particular product is used for glueing on metal auto body panels such as rocker panels, door skins ect.
I am certain that an auto body technician could hook you up.