Fan housing magnesium or aluminum?

yelcab1 · 12-13-2008, 04:12 PM

Is the 80 SC fan housing magnesium or aluminum? I have a few cracks and I like them welded if possible.

Buckterrier · 12-13-2008, 04:19 PM

I believe magnesium but the welder should be able to tell with a quick try. If it's mag. and he uses aluminum rod it doesn't take. I think that's what the guy did when he welded mine.

yelcab1 · 12-13-2008, 04:20 PM

So can he weld magnesium, or does it just burn?

YTNUKLR · YTNUKLR's Garage

some people can weld magnesium, which is what it is made from

(it's not going to catch fire)

Buckterrier · 12-13-2008, 04:24 PM

Not sure what you mean by burn. I'm pretty sure it's mag. and I'm sure someone like Milt will chime in. I'm just saying if it's not the same the rod material will just like drop off. I just had mine done last winter, (took it apart to polish).

Buckterrier · 12-13-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YTNUKLR

some people can weld magnesium, which is what it is made from

(it's not going to catch fire)

Ok, the guy I went to had both kinds of rods. He did some rough welds. I took the housing home filed and shaped them.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

It is Magnesium, which will rapidly exothermically oxidize (burn) if welded without proper inert gas shielding. Magnesium parts are cast in an atmosphere of Nitrogen or other inert gas.

Buckterrier · 12-13-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flieger

It is Magnesium, which will rapidly exothermically oxidize (burn) if welded without proper inert gas shielding. Magnesium parts are cast in an atmosphere of Nitrogen or other inert gas.

Ain't this board grand. Great info.

YTNUKLR · YTNUKLR's Garage

The part is too large to burn; it acts like a heat sink to some extent. The whole part will not get hot enough to ignite (not enough total activation energy to begin the exothermic reaction, in chemistry-speak). Therefore, it is possible to weld it.

rgreeny · 12-13-2008, 06:08 PM

If you put vinigar on Magnesium, it will foam a little and turn milky white. This will not happen to aluminum.

Rob

1982911SCTarga · 12-13-2008, 06:22 PM

I had a local guy who does a lot of bicycle frame welding do mine. Here's the link.

Brian

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I just got an aluminum one from vertex and avoided all the trouble all together.

yelcab1 · 12-13-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormmaster

I just got an aluminum one from vertex and avoided all the trouble all together.

Not for $450. I hope to get it welded for less than $100.

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

Magnesium powder will burn bright white when ignited. It was used as flash powder in the early days of fotography. It's also used in fireworks and flares.

As a solid it is much harder to ignitebut not impossible. Once ignited it will burn even in nitrogen. Sounds nasty to me.....

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Only the Germans would make engine parts like crank cases, fans, cam housings, transaxle housings, etc. out of such a metal. Right near combusting gasoline, hot exhaust, fuel, air, electricity...

But it is lighter and therefore faster.

Zef · Zef's Garage

It's magnesium...and it's weldable. It's the answer you look at.

mb911 · mb911's Garage

they are mag and I have welded a few of them. Most welders are not real familer with mag though so be careful when chossing. I teach mag in class so I get my fair share of welding that nasty smelling mag