Aluminum Welding
Aluminum welding requires more than a standard MIG setup — it demands dedicated wire, correct shielding gas, precise heat management, and a welder who understands the material. Canawelding provides CWB-certified aluminum welding services on-site across the GTA, handling everything from structural aluminum fabrication to aluminum repair work that most welders won’t touch.
Mobile aluminum welding dispatch across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, and the full GTA
AC TIG and MIG spool gun capability — 100% argon shielding gas, ER4043 and ER5356 filler on every truck
CWB-certified welders with structural framing background through CanaStruct Inc.
Full liability insurance, WSIB clearance, and CWB documentation — site-ready on every call
One quote, one invoice — what you’re told is what you pay
The Aluminum Challenge
Aluminum welding is fundamentally different from steel welding — not just in process settings, but in the metallurgy itself. Aluminum has a high-melting-point oxide layer that forms instantly on any exposed surface and must be removed or disrupted during welding. It has a thermal conductivity roughly five times that of steel, meaning heat dissipates rapidly and the weld puddle behaves differently. It has no color change before melting — you go from solid to liquid with little visual warning. These properties mean aluminum welding requires specific equipment, gas, filler, and technique — or the results will be defective, porous, or cracked.
The two correct processes for aluminum are AC TIG (GTAW) and MIG with a spool gun (GMAW). AC TIG provides the oxide cleaning action required on aluminum’s surface layer, with precise heat control for thin sections and aesthetically visible joints. MIG spool gun eliminates the wire feeding problems that cause aluminum wire to birdnest in standard push-feed setups. Both require 100% pure argon shielding gas — the CO₂ blends used for steel will oxidize aluminum and produce defective welds.
Canawelding carries both process setups on every truck, along with ER4043 and ER5356 filler rod for the most common aluminum alloy series. We assess the alloy and application before welding — wrong filler selection on aluminum is one of the most common causes of weld failure. Related search terms: aluminum welder Toronto, aluminium welding service GTA, aluminum TIG welding Toronto, spool gun MIG aluminum, aluminum welding near me.
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CanaWelding Inc carries full commercial general liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Every project is performed by qualified, supervised tradespeople
Aluminum Welding for Every Project Type / Who We Serve
Residential Properties
Homeowners who need aluminum welding on gates, fencing, railings, boat trailers, aluminum furniture, window frames, and decorative metalwork. Most residential aluminum repair jobs are refused by general welders who lack the correct setup. We carry spool gun and TIG setups specifically for aluminum — same-day dispatch across the GTA.
Commercial & Structural Aluminum
Structural aluminum welding for commercial construction requires CWB certification and compliance with CSA W59.2. We provide weld procedure specification, welder qualification records, and inspection documentation for commercial aluminum projects. Common commercial calls: aluminum storefront framing, structural connections, curtain wall components, and architectural aluminum fabrication.
Industrial & Equipment Repair
Aluminum equipment frames, marine components, trailer repair, heat exchanger housings, and industrial fixtures that are integrated and cannot be removed for shop repair. We handle aluminum repair work that most welders decline — cracks in cast aluminum, heat-damaged frames, and structural aluminum in awkward positions. HSE documentation available before every site visit.
Fully Equipped. Every Visit
AC/DC TIG welder and MIG spool gun setup on every truck. 100% pure argon shielding gas. ER4043 filler for 6061/6063 and general-purpose work; ER5356 for 5xxx series and higher-strength applications. Pre-weld surface prep tools — stainless-only wire brushes, acetone for oxide removal. We arrive with the correct setup for aluminum — no substitutions, no return trips.
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CanaWelding Inc. carries full commercial general liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Every project performed by qualified, supervised tradespeople.
Aluminum TIG vs MIG Spool Gun
Choosing the Right Aluminum Process
Both AC TIG and MIG spool gun are correct aluminum welding processes — neither is universally superior. The right choice depends on material thickness, joint access, required weld aesthetics, and production speed. We assess on-site and select the process appropriate for your specific job.
AC TIG Welding
GTAW · Aluminum · AC Current · Manual
Highest precision — manual filler rod, finest bead quality and aesthetics
AC current provides oxide cleaning action — essential for aluminum fusion
Best for thin sections (0.8mm–6mm) without burn-through risk
Required for visible, architectural, and decorative aluminum joints
Better heat control — foot pedal amperage adjustment in real time
Slower than spool gun — higher cost per metre of weld
Best for: thin material, aesthetics, precision, tight access
MIG Spool Gun
GMAW · Aluminum · Spool Gun · Semi-Auto
Faster deposition — better for production, structural, and thicker aluminum
Spool gun eliminates wire feed problems — aluminum wire stays local at the gun
Best for material 3mm and thicker where TIG aesthetics aren’t required
100% pure argon shielding gas — same as TIG, no CO₂ blends
ER4043 or ER5356 wire selected based on base alloy series
Less aesthetically refined than AC TIG on thin visible joints
Best for: structural aluminum, thicker plate, production repair work
Service Areas we Serve
CanaWelding.ca dispatches mobile repair welders to residential, commercial, and industrial locations across the entire Greater Toronto Area. Whether you are in a downtown condo building or a Brampton industrial park, our mobile service reaches you — same or next day for most locations.
We currently serve:
- Toronto (all neighbourhoods)
- Etobicoke
- Scarborough
- North York
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Oakville
- Burlington
- Vaughan
- Richmond Hill
- Newmarket
- Markham
- Ajax / Pickering
- Oshawa
Questions about the service
Can You Weld Aluminum with a MIG Welder?
Yes — but only with a spool gun and 100% pure argon shielding gas. Aluminum wire is soft and birdnests in standard push-feed MIG setups. A spool gun feeds directly from a small spool mounted at the gun, eliminating the feed problem. Standard MIG wire (ER70S-6) and standard shielding gas (C25) cannot be used on aluminum — the correct wire is ER4043 or ER5356, and the gas is 100% argon only.
Can You Weld Aluminum to Steel?
Not by conventional fusion welding alone — aluminum and steel have different melting points, thermal expansion rates, and form brittle intermetallic compounds when fused directly. The proper approach is a bimetallic transition insert (a pre-bonded aluminum-to-steel interface) welded on each side separately. Brazing and mechanical fastening are also considered depending on the application. We advise on the right approach before quoting.
What Shielding Gas Is Used for Aluminum Welding?
100% pure argon is standard for both aluminum MIG and TIG welding. Helium or argon-helium blends are used for some thicker aluminum applications where deeper penetration is needed. The CO₂ blends used for steel MIG welding will oxidize aluminum and produce defective, porous welds. We carry 100% argon on every truck dispatched for aluminum work.
Why Is My Aluminum Weld Porous or Cracking?
The most common causes: insufficient pre-cleaning (the oxide layer traps hydrogen), wrong filler alloy for the base metal, incorrect heat input, or moisture contamination. ER4043 and ER5356 are the two most common aluminum filler alloys — choosing correctly depends on the base alloy series and application. If a previous weld is failing, we assess the cause before re-welding to avoid repeating the problem.
How Much Does Aluminum Welding Cost?
Aluminum welding typically runs 10–25% higher than comparable steel work due to process requirements (spool gun or TIG setup), gas cost (pure argon), and material preparation time. Residential aluminum repair calls typically $200–$500. Commercial and structural aluminum work quoted on-site after assessing material, position, and access. No shop drop-off required — we come to you across the GTA.
What Aluminum Alloys Can You Weld?
The most weldable series are 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx — 6061 and 6063 being the most common structural alloys we work with. 7xxx series is weldable but prone to stress-corrosion cracking and requires careful filler selection. 2xxx series is generally considered unweldable by conventional fusion welding. We assess the alloy before quoting any structural aluminum work — we don’t guess at filler selection.