If you’re thinking about adding a wrought iron railing to your home or a metal gate to your property, you may have a specific look and style in mind. Ornamental metalwork often requires two different types of metal. Welding dissimilar metals depends on factors such as melting temperature and the filler metal’s breaking point. Experienced metal fabrication welders can advise you about multimetal projects. Here’s a brief guide for learning more.

Why Meld Two Different Metals?

Welding together two different metals takes advantage of the best properties of each type. Consider, for example, the production of automobiles. In the automotive industry, cars need to be strong, yet lighter cars produce better gas mileage ratings. A combination of aluminum—which is light and somewhat expensive—and steel—which is stronger, heavier, and cheaper—is ideal. Because aluminum is rust-resistant, it’s often used with steel in exterior architectural applications.

Welding Challenges

Welding different metals takes skill. Dissimilar metals have different properties and compositions. Not every type can be joined. The melting temperatures and breaking points of metals—a measure of the pressure they can withstand—may differ. For a successful weld, the filler metal, or welding consumable, should be as strong as the base metal. Both metals also need to melt at the same temperature.

Welders can use different methods to fuse dissimilar metals:

• Ultrasonic welding
• Cold welding
• Friction welding
• Electron beam welding
• Explosion welding
• Arc welding

Seek Expert Advice

Professional welders and metal fabricators, who know the likelihood of success when welding dissimilar metals, will ensure the strength of joints and adherence to safety codes and standards. Although small home improvement and landscaping projects may not need approval by a third-party agency, seek advice from a metal fabrication shop before proceeding.

The team at Countryside Welding are experts in creating unique wrought iron gates and railings from their Kalispell, MT, base in Flathead Valley. They produce custom metal fabrications to increase the security of your property and the elegance of your home. Learn more about their work on their website, or call (406) 755-9232 to request an estimate.