How to Weld C954 Bronze

C954 bronze can be brazed, welded or soldered.

C954 bronze is one of the strongest bronze alloys available, but is not a true bronze alloy because it does not contain tin. Unlike other bronze materials, C954 includes 11-percent aluminum in the alloy that, while making it stronger, also makes oxyacetylene welding inadvisable. The best process for fusing C954 bronze is the same process used to weld aluminum, except with a different electrode wire used in the MIG welder.

Things You'll Need

• MIG welder with argon gas supply
• Ampco-trode 10 welding wire
• Welding clamps
• Rubbing alcohol
• Stainless steel wire brush
• Welding helmet

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Instructions

1. Load the MIG welder with the Ampco-trode 10 welding wire and feed it through the welding gun until the electrode wire extends from the tip of the gun approximately 1/4 inch. Next, ensure you are using argon for your welding gas. Do not use carbon dioxide for welding C954 bronze. If necessary, switch the shielding gas tank for an argon shielding gas tank before continuing.

2. Clamp the work pieces together in the way in which they are to be welded, and then use the rubbing alcohol and stainless steel wire brush to thoroughly clean the mating surfaces.

3. Connect the negative ground clamp to the work piece, and then dial in the necessary settings on the MIG welder according to the thickness of the C954 bronze. This information is usually included on the inside cover of the welder, or in the welder's instruction manual. For C954, however, increase the wire feed speed by one on the dial setting, and turn the amperage down by one on its setting.

4. Lower your welding helmet and position the welding electrode approximately 1/4 inch from the joint where the bronze will be welded.

5. Pull the trigger on the welder and watch through the welding helmet lens as the electrode forms a pool of molten bronze where it touches the metal. Once the pool has reached an approximate diameter of 1/4 inch, begin pushing the weld electrode across the joint to weld the bronze pieces together. Use small, circular movements to maintain the correct width of the weld until the joint has been completely welded together.

6. Clean the weld slag off of the welded bronze using the wire brush.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a welding helmet whenever you weld metals to help prevent damage to your eyesight from flash burns.

References

• Global Steel Web: Forging Notes for Non-Ferrous Metals
• "Welder's Handbook, Revised: A Guide to Plasma Cutting, Oxyacetylene, ARC, MIG and TIG Welding"; Richard Finch; 2007
• "Welding Fundamentals"; Roger Jellison; 1995