Protecting Welders: Fume Extraction in Aluminum Welding Processes

Hazards and Health Risks of Aluminum Welding

Welding on aluminum can create various dangers because the machining process produces combustibles that can ignite and cause an explosion. Aluminum has a low melting point and can catch fire easily if the welding process generates excessive heat. Welding aluminum generates fumes that can be hazardous to human health, particularly when inhaled over a long period. Additionally, welding aluminum can also result in electric shock, eye damage, and noise pollution.

The most common aluminum welding processes are TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding and MIG (metal inert gas) welding. TIG welding is excellent for thin aluminum sheets and MIG is better for thicker sections. During TIG or MIG welding, it is crucial to use the correct techniques and settings to control the heat input and prevent warping or distortion.

Aluminum welding produces hazardous fumes that can be harmful to the health and safety of employees. Welding on aluminum generates fumes that generate during the welding process when high temperatures vaporize the aluminum, flux, or filler metal.

Welding aluminum fumes contain various compounds like aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride — to name a couple. Overexposure to the fumes that develop when welding on aluminum can result in respiratory issues in the nose and throat and neurological symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and tremors. Long-term exposure increases the risk of lung diseases including asthma and bronchitis and can lead to cancer.