Silicon bronze wire with MIG and sheet metal?

sixdogs · Nov 13, 2015

Anyone know about using silicon bronze wire in a MIG setup with 100% argon to do sheet metal repairs? My welding supply guy says it's the rage and the showed me a clip of it. He said it's easier to do, is cooler, softer so it grinds down easier and the metal stays stuck together just fine. All this is news to me.

I[SUP][/SUP]n doing a sheet metal repair, the regular MIG wire is hard to grind down and riskier because of warp potential. Anyone know anything about this or use it or do sheet metal--18 ga--repairs?

Shield Arc · Nov 13, 2015

I ran quite a bit of it in the 1970s working across the street from a sheet metal shop. Seems as we ran 98% argon, and 2% oxygen.

sixdogs · Nov 14, 2015

Shieldarc--is it OK for patching new 18 ga auto sheet metal and would you feel comfortable with it on a street rod? I'm just welding very small 1/2" 18 ga pieces on new 18ga metal. When I searched old posts on this I found your mention of it but most dealt with filler rod and what appeared to be a brazing technique. MIG is what appeals to me and I already have the 100% argon they now suggest. Any more thoughts on this? You guys here know more than I'll ever be able to learn.

A quick search of the internet turned up posts like this and some Harris wire. I could not find Lincoln wire but thought I saw it at the welding shop.

Mig welding with silicon bronze wire? - Team Camaro Tech
MIG Silicon Bronze?
Harris Silicon Bronze MIG Welding Wire - 2# Spool 00SIBF2

Shield Arc · Nov 14, 2015

I could be wrong on the gas mixture. In your link to Welding Web, ZTFab is an amazing Mig welder.

I worked in the heavy iron fab shop, across the street was the sheet metal shop, same company. Every once in a while they didn't have enough guys that could weld, so we did their welding. I don't remember the thicknesses, but it was duct work. I do remember trying to run every thing vertically down hill. Because it was so fast! It does make a very nice looking weld.
As with welding anything thin. I would make short welds, and skip around a lot.