TIG welding Cast Aluminum motorcycle case?

[CGCINC]

One was out of a Blaster ATV. He sells used parts for dirtbikes and ATV's so I'm guessing it's all from that stuff.
Why does Mag burn?

[Rodsmachineshop]

mag half of a vw case when ignite makes it own oxygen and cant put out water on it makes it worse

[Rodsmachineshop]

ever see a half vw . they use them for air plane engine i have welded the back plates on some

[CGCINC]

So I think I'll stay away from Magnesium!!

[Rivets]

One was out of a Blaster ATV. He sells used parts for dirtbikes and ATV's so I'm guessing it's all from that stuff.
Why does Mag burn?

It just does.

Do you remember the old type of camera flashbulbs?
The glass enveloppe had fine magnesium mesh inside, which was ignited by two flashlight batteries.

There. Just dated myself again.

rivets

[Rodsmachineshop]

hey i had one of those cameras lol well tells you i am old lol it was the one that used the big bulbs

[Winky]

I have a 1969 Triumph motorcycle primary casing I need to make a repair on … does anyone know if there is a magnesium content in the old triumph twins or will it be safe to weld on it? I’m pretty sure it’s aluminum but I don’t want to start a mag fire in my shop.

[Rodsmachineshop]

you can tell if its magnesium by taking the case and putting white Vinegar on a spot and see if it bubbles.

[DaveO]

For grins I googled "Triumph primary case magnesium fire" and saw a lot of references to magnesium rims, and apparently BSA had a model with a magnesium primary case. Then I searched on "magnesium fire weld" ("weld" to capture welder, welded, and other variants). Thank you, internet, for again having directly conflicting answers! I got this hit in an article called "Welding of Magnesium-base Alloys" at http://www.keytometals.com/Article35.htm
"Magnesium castings, or wrought materials do not create a safety hazard since the possibility of fire caused by welding on these sections is very remote." Then the same search on the same page got hits from the Hobart Welders forum, WeldWeb, WT&T.com, and CNCZone talking about magnesium fires and not using water to put them out.

Rod, a drop of vinegar is so reactive with magnesium that it bubbles? Wow. So theoretically you could be eating lunch and drop a pickle or salad dressing, and melt your transmission?! (I can't get videos, just now.)

[Rodsmachineshop]

I weld vw cases all the time . to be safe i attach a chain to them if they ever burn . all the cases i have welded i have never had one ignite but use chain just in case to drag it out side . lol i use 5356 TIG rod

[Rodsmachineshop]

water make fire worse

[Zmechanic]

The burning from magnesium is so hot, it can split the oxygen and hydrogen apart before the water gets a chance to absorb any of the heat from the burning. It will then react violently with the hydrogen. It can also react with nitrogren, and carbon dioxide, meaning many common fire extinguishers will do nothing but intensify reaction.

If it's on the ground, or on a flat table, you can cover it up with sand, and it will smother the fire.

[X83]

You will need a Class-D Type-1 dry chemical fire extinguisher which are yellow in color if you are welding or machining magnesium parts.

[Rodsmachineshop]

there full of sodium chloride powder . same as the salt you use for your food , just in a powder form . they also can come full of copper powder .

[Winky]

you can tell if its magnesium by taking the case and putting white Vinegar on a spot and see if it bubbles.

Thanks that's a great tip ... I will make note of that for future reference ... going to test the case today.

[Winky]

Thanks everyone who responded that's all great information and I was in the dark about it. I really don't like to learn things the hard way ... I had no idea that magnesium was used in auto parts as much as it is ... I knew mag wheels contained it just by the name this forum is outstanding ... you are all awesome!

Ooops I did it again ... I posted a second time insted of editing … well heck ... I’ll get this computer stuff figured out … at least I remembered this time otherwise there would be a chain of three … honest folks I’m not trying to get under anyone’s skin … I’m just kinda new to this social networking thing.

update ... just did the white vinegar test … actually turned the casing upside down so I would have a good puddle and … 1969 Triumph primary casings are good to go for welding.