can you weld dissimilar metals?

Question

trying to attach a mild steel handle to aluminum without drilling and riviting.

Answer 1

In general if you buy the right welding rods and fluxes and use the torch right, the answer is yes for dissimilar. In your case of steel handle on aluminum the answer is no - go with the drill and rivet. If the welded result is really important to you, get an aluminum handle and bring it to a professional welder for attachment.

Answer 2

Yes, you can weld certain dissimilar metals together, but I would not try steel and aluminum.

Answer 3

Well, you can solder copper wires to non copper metals, so that shoots the above answers out of the water.

Thus, I would say yes, but not all things can be soldered, welded or braised to all metals. That may be why they have various catalysts (resins, pastes, etc).

Aluminum, though, can't take a lot of heat, so in your example, the answer might be no.

Answer 4

Yes and in a sense No depends on what metals you are working with

Stainless with non stainless ..Yes

Magnesium with aluminum alloy..Yes

Brass with Bronze....Yes

Copper with steel no weld but can be soldered

Cast Iron with steel ..Yes with right temperature

get the point...lol

Answer 5

NO!, Dissimilar metals can't be welded, because welding is a process of "Fussing" same metals together. Drilling and "mechanical fasteners" are your only options..

Answer 6

Yes you can, you can join dissimilar metals together by brazing them. If you're just doing one small repair however it will be quite uneconomical, you'll need an oxy/acetylence set-up and brazing rod. You'll also need the appropriate safety gear.

Answer 7

yikes... that's a tough one!... I'm going to go with... NO. The heat involved will crack Al. try an epoxy like JB weld.