Updated 4943 Information and A photo of Today's Project ...

I am not the best MIG welder but with huge projects like this I will surely get better at it !!!

I received an e-mail regarding an older post that talked briefly about 4943 filler metal. It included an updated data sheet , a great filler metal selection chart  and, a good guide for aluminum welding .

this info came from
Galen White

Senior Welding Engineer

Maxal International, Inc.  An ITW Company

1631 International Drive

Traverse City, MI  49686

I have sent an e-mail asking a few questions regarding 4943 filler metal and its applications , as usual I will update the blog when I get that info ...

Well he got back to me so fast I am able to update now rather than later - here it is in his words -

The most common application for 4943 is anywhere that 4043 is currently being used. In the as welded condition 4943 produces welds that have 25% higher Ultimate Tensile Strength and 50% higher Yield strength when compared to 4043. There are several base metals that can be welded with either 4043 or 5356 and because 5356 has much higher mechanicals, it often gets chosen for this reason even though 4043 produces a more fluid, cosmetically pleasing bead that is less prone to cracking. Now that 4943 has been developed the strength difference is much closer. 

4043 = 28 ksi

5356 = 38 ksi

4943 = 35 ksi

The perfect application for 4943 is when 6061 is welded and because higher strengths are required, it is post weld heat treated. Unwelded 6061-T6 has an UTS of 42 ksi. When welded the strength of the heat affected zone drops to 24 ksi. Much of this loss in strength can be regained with thermal treatment. Unfortunately 4043 and 5356 do not respond to heat treatment (4043 will gain some strength due to picking up some Magnesium from the 6061 but it is dependent on penetration and is limited and not very consistent). 4943 is completely heat treatable on its own and is not dependent on dilution. Here is what happens when you heat treat 4943:

4943 as welded = 35 ksi

4943 post weld aged = 42 ksi

4943 PWHT and aged = 49 ksi!!

6061-T6 = 42 ksi

HAPPY WELDING !!!!