Aluminum - Solid Wire
Aluminum solid MIG welding wire (GMAW, AWS A5.10) from HYW Products in general-purpose ER4043 and high-strength ER5356. The two cover nearly all aluminum welding — choose ER4043 for ease and crack resistance on 6xxx castings and extrusions, or ER5356 for strength, marine service, and anodize color match. Spooled in .030", .035", and 3/64".
Buying guide, comparison chart, brand cross-reference & FAQ — click to expand
| Wire | AWS | Alloy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ER4043 | A5.10 | Al – ~5% Si | General-purpose; 6xxx alloys; smooth, crack-resistant beads |
| ER5356 | A5.10 | Al – ~5% Mg | Higher strength; marine/5xxx; anodize color match; stiffer feed |
Both weld under 100% argon on DC+ (DCEP). Aluminum feeds best with a spool gun or push-pull setup; ER5356 is stiffer and feeds more reliably than soft ER4043.
Cross-Reference & Brand Equivalents
Already buying a name-brand aluminum MIG wire? The wires below are spec-equivalent to our ER4043 / ER5356 and can be replaced with them. Match the diameter and shielding gas, and confirm your welding procedure or code before switching.
| Brand | Their Product | Replace With (HYW) |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Electric | SuperGlaze 4043 | ER4043 |
| Lincoln Electric | SuperGlaze 5356 | ER5356 |
| ESAB | OK Autrod 4043 | ER4043 |
| ESAB | OK Autrod 5356 | ER5356 |
Cross-references identify comparable products by AWS classification and are provided as a general guide only. Always confirm the product meets your specific application, welding procedure (WPS), or code requirements before substituting. All third-party brand and product names — SuperGlaze® and Lincoln Electric® (The Lincoln Electric Company), and OK Autrod® and ESAB® (ESAB) — are trademarks of their respective owners. HYW Products / Hy-Weld Inc. is an independent distributor and is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by these companies; their names are used solely for identification and accurate comparison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ER4043 vs ER5356 — which aluminum wire should I use?
ER4043 (Al-Si) runs smoother and is more crack-resistant — ideal for 6xxx-series castings and extrusions like 6061. ER5356 (Al-Mg) is stronger, feeds better, resists saltwater corrosion, and color-matches anodizing — the choice for marine and 5xxx alloys.
What gas and polarity for aluminum MIG?
100% argon on DC+ (DCEP). Use a spool gun or push-pull gun to feed the soft wire smoothly.
Also see: Aluminum TIG Rod