Cold welding of metals: how to use the instructions, types and choices
Among the items of repair kit motorists can often be seen cold welding for metals. This is not surprising, because on a long journey you can get a hole in the gas tank, radiator or other similar trouble may occur. In this situation, cold welding can be the salvation. However, at home for cold welding will find work. Consider, what is this repair warehouse and how to use cold welding.
Cold metal welding
In essence, cold welding is a special composite polymer, which has high adhesion to various materials (in our review of metals). Simply put, cold welding is glue, having the ability to cure quickly. However, it does not react with motor oils, gasoline and diesel fuel.
The glue is made in two types:
- Liquid composition. It is made on the basis of epoxy resin, which, being mixed with hardener, begins to harden gradually. The resin can be combined with any substrate or various reinforcing elements (fiberglass, metal mesh). After applying the resin, you can not be afraid of wet secretions, the appearance of a pungent odor or harmful substances.
- Plastic composition - is a special kind of putty. Externally it is a two-layer bar. Can be sold in the form of two single-layer bars. In appearance, the plastic composition is very similar to ordinary children's plasticine.
Choice of high-quality cold welding of metal
Choosing a repair warehouse at home or on a long journey, the following important factors must be considered:
what types of surfaces can be glued to the adhesive composition;
- in what temperature range the repair mix works;
- the instructions and recommendations for use should be carefully studied.
Buying welding, reliable manufacturers should be preferred, which have proven themselves well. Such, as:
- Loctite;
- Permatex;
- WEICON;
- Poxipol;
- Devcon.
Brands are not cheap, but, they will not fail in a difficult situation.
Learn, how to properly use cold welding, you can carefully read the article below.
Cold metal welding: instruction
Repair composition is widely used in everyday life. Example, easily glues ceramics. With its help it is possible to close leaks in pipes.
In car repair, when trouble struck in the marching conditions, it is simply irreplaceable. Cold welding can glue torn or reflected metal parts. It can be used to repair damage to the radiator, fuel tank, mufflers, crankcase, pallet and other elements. Plastic composition is often used for car repairs. Although sometimes used and liquid, because its strength is higher than plastic.
When repairing welded parts of the car is important, that you do not need to drain gasoline, diesel or oil. The fault is fixed, as they say, in place. This is possible because the repair compound does not react with chemicals, hardens quickly and is easy to use.
To close the crack in the tank, mufflers or pallets usually use the same approach to repair - one course of action. It is important to follow the main stages of work.
First you need to prepare the surface. To do this, the metal is cleaned with sandpaper. If the repair is carried out in the field, then you can do without it. However, the adhesive composition on the pre-cleaned surface will last longer. This is due to small scratches and roughness, which provides better adhesion of the adhesive to the metal surface.
- Next, the work surface should be degreased. This can be done with antisilicone, but you can use regular gasoline. Dipping a rag into it, the metal surface should be wiped.
- Preparation for repair work. Depending on the type of welding used, it is either squeezed out of the tube or cut off from the bar. Then the composition should be or stirred, or knead until smooth. The mixture at the same time, usually, slightly heated. To work with cold welding does not require any special skills - just instructions, which is always added to the repair warehouse.
- The process of applying the composition. Damage is covered with glue, then the surface is leveled. The operation should be performed as quickly as possible, because some types of cold welding harden in minutes.
Complete drying of the composition can occur in different ways: from hour to day. Of course, on the road it is not always possible. Therefore, it is enough to wait twenty minutes for the initial hardening - that's enough, to get to the nearest repair point.
Application of cold metal welding
Knowledge of some nuances greatly simplifies work with the repair staff.
Liquid formulations in syringes. When pressed, the glue and hardener flow simultaneously and mix. However, such a composition should not be applied immediately. You need to squeeze a little into the container, and then stir again.
- The amount of composition. The composition should be prepared in small portions. Welding is initially seized through 5-20 minutes, so, having prepared a large portion of the composition, you may not have time to use it.
- Plastic and wood. Cold welding for metals can also be used to bond such heterogeneous materials, what about, usually, mentioned in the instructions.
- Surface cleaning and degreasing. As mentioned above, it is not necessary to do this, because modern welding also sticks to the greasy plane. However, work with welding on the cleaned surface guarantees better result of repair.
- Load. While the repair warehouse on the repaired site has not dried up completely, it is highly undesirable to be exposed to any mechanical loads.
- Quality of work. Is to carefully and accurately measure the amount of welding and hardener to create a repair mixture. The mixture should be mixed with special care.
- Gloves. Gloves should be worn when working due to the negative effects of some welding components on human skin.
Popular manufacturers of cold welding
From a variety of manufacturers and brands, we can recommend the following brands of repair mixtures.
Adro Steel
A product of an American manufacturer of high class. It looks like, as a bar of two-component putty, packed in a cylindrical plastic container. The weight of the container is close 57 city. Thanks to that, as part of welding, in addition to the plasticizer and hardener, also includes a metal filler, it can be used to repair car parts:
- fuel tank;
- radiator;
- pallet;
- muffler, etc.. P.
In addition to car repair, the composition is quite applicable in everyday life. Example, for sealing a hole in a metal-plastic or metal pipe. With its help you can repair the aquarium, tool and more.
Which is guaranteed by the connection at a temperature of 50 to 150 degrees.
Proxypol
Differs in speed of hardening and provides the maximum coupling of surfaces. The parts repaired by them can be subjected to machining - drilling or cutting.
Diamond Press
Welding, designed purely for car repair. Repairs cracks in tanks, mufflers, etc.. P. Often used to secure the nameplate - the manufacturer's logo. It consists of epoxy resin and filler on a natural or metal basis.
In addition to the above brands, there are a few more:
- Chipping;
- Fordo 671;
- Bitz;
- Monolith.
All of them are able to provide a reliable connection even under water.
Conclusion
It follows from the everyday practice and experience of many drivers, that cold welding is able to provide a very reliable bonding of surfaces. But still do not forget, that welding is essentially just an epoxy glue and is not a panacea for serious damage. Therefore, cold welding should not be used to repair key mechanical components at home, and in the car.
