36885 - ESAB 0.035 Aluminum Contact Tip Notched Style (Pack of 5)

Precision ESAB Consumables for Aluminum Applications

The ESAB 36885 Contact Tip is a specialized consumable component designed to meet the rigorous demands of industrial aluminum MIG welding. Engineered with a 0.035-inch (0.9mm) bore, this tip features a specific internal tolerance that accommodates the higher thermal expansion rate of aluminum wire compared to steel. Using standard steel tips for aluminum applications often leads to wire binding, erratic arc characteristics, and premature failure due to the wire expanding inside the tip as it heats up. This ESAB product mitigates those risks, ensuring consistent current transfer and smooth wire delivery.

Constructed from a high-grade copper alloy, the 36885 tip offers excellent thermal conductivity, which is critical for maintaining a stable arc and preventing the tip from overheating during long duty cycles. The "notched" design is a distinguishing feature that ensures compatibility with specific collet and diffuser assemblies found in legacy and modern ESAB, Linde, and L-Tec MIG guns. This design element prevents rotation and ensures a secure electrical connection within the torch head, minimizing voltage drop and maximizing weld quality.

Supplied in a pack of 5, these contact tips are an essential stock item for fabrication shops working with aluminum. Proper maintenance of the contact tip is vital for weld integrity; a worn or incorrect tip can cause micro-arcing, poor bead profile, and increased spatter. By choosing genuine ESAB consumables, operators ensure that their equipment performs to manufacturer specifications. These tips are suitable for a variety of industrial sectors, including automotive, marine, and aerospace fabrication, where precision aluminum welding is required.

Investing in application-specific consumables like the ESAB 36885 reduces downtime associated with wire feeding issues. The smooth internal finish minimizes friction, which is particularly important for soft aluminum wires that are prone to shaving or buckling (bird-nesting) if resistance is encountered in the liner or tip. This attention to detail in manufacturing results in a more reliable welding process and higher overall productivity.