How do you attach metals to plastics?

Answer 1

Metals can be attached to each other in many different ways.

Bolts - bolt, washer, nut are commonly used. Especially in cases where the item being assembled may need to be removed at somepoint in the future. Simply drill a hole slightly bigger than the bolts in the two metals, insert the bolt, and then attach the nuts.

Bolts with tap - Depending on the thickness of the material, you may be able to thread one of the metals and then drill smooth hole slightly bigger that the bolt in the other metal. The new threaded metal (the tapped metal) now act like a nut and you may tighten the bolt accordingly.

Metal Screws - If the material is thin, like sheet metal (22gauge - 16gauge) self tapping metal screws may be used. These are screwed in with a power drill and are the easiest to use.

Welding Processes:

MIG - This welding process uses a welding power source and trigger set-up. Welding wire is fed through the trigger when the trigger button is pressed. This is, in my opinion the easiest of welding processes to learn. Start by using innersheild wire (this requires NO additional shielding gas). Once you've got the hang of that, then you can move onto using straight wire with a shielding gas. Not all units are set up for this, as it will require a tank (commonly called a bottle), a regulator, and machine capable of using shielding gas. This process will weld any metal, aluminum, steel, stainless, etc. Simply match the wire to the metal being welded. The size of the material that can be welded with a given machine will vary according to the amperage of that machine. Also, keep the trigger tip about an eighth of an inch away from the material and be sure to attach the grounding clamp to the metal.

Stick - Stick welding is easy as well. All of the above information applies, but instead of a constant wire flow through the trigger, you will need to swap out used sticks for new ones. There is no trigger, rather this is called a stinger and the welding arc will start once the stick has come in contact with the grounded metal. Move along the joint being welded at a constant pace, adjusting the speed to make for a steady weld.

TIG - This is the most difficult to master of the welding processes and also the most expensive (in terms of equipment needed to TIG weld). In this process, you will need a power source, commonly stick machines also double as a TIG power source, and special hand-held gun that will create the arc for welding. The gun may have a finger control on it or you maybe required to buy a foot control pedel, this will control the amperage of the arc. The higher the amperage, the hotter the arc and the thicker the material that can be welded. While this maybe enough to start fusing two metals together, filler rod is usually always needed. The filler rod is analogous to the wire in the MIG process or the metal inner part of the stick in the STICK process. The reason this is the most difficult is because you are holding the gun in one hand, controlling the amperage with your foot (or finger if the control is on the gun), and also holding the filler rod with your other free hand all while moving along the joint bonding these two metals together. TIG can weld all kinds of metals, just be sure to use the proper filler rod given the application.

Spot Welding - If the two metals are thin, like that of sheet metal, then spot welding is also an option. No filler rod, stick, or wire is needed. Simply adjust the amperage given the metal thickness (combined metal thickness (the TOTAL metal thickness!)), line up the point you wish to weld, and then close the tongs. Hold them there long enough to achieve a good weld. Some machines have timmers built in, others expect you to use your judgment (usually about 2-6 seconds).

In addition to the above welding techniques, metal workers with special tools will also bond metals together with special lap joints and rolled edges. The tools for this are expensive and specialized; that can lead to a whole new topic!

Answer 2

Stick welding SMAW is the second oldest welding process still in use. The equipment is inexpensive and the filler material is readily available. Portable welding machines (gasoline or diesel generators) are used in places that don't have electricity.

Answer 3

You generally need a primer but it won't work for all plastics. A chromium oxide layer is usual.

Answer 4

5 ways to join metals without heat:

Nut & Bolt

Hammer & Nail

Two Part Expoxy

Self Tapping Screw

Pop Rivet & Gun

hope this helped(: x

Answer 5

Solder, Braze, Braze welding, Oxy-Fuel welding, Shielded metal Arc Welding(SMAW, Stick), Gas metal Arc welding(GMAW, Mig) Gas tungsten Arc welding(GTAW, Tig).

Answer 6

mig, tig welding, clamping them togethor

Answer 7

STICK WELD