Fixtures
When selecting a professional welding table, the choice of material is just as important as the design. Forster America offers two high-performance alloy options for its modular welding tables: special gray cast iron and non-ferritic aluminum-copper alloy (Al/Cu). Each is engineered to meet the demands of high-precision welding while improving long-term durability, reducing spatter buildup, and supporting exacting stainless steel and structural steel work.
Whether your shop handles stainless assemblies, heavy-duty fabrication, or high-tolerance welding, Forster’s material options are designed to optimize workflow, precision, and surface cleanliness.
Why Material Choice Matters in Welding Table Design
The surface material of a welding table affects everything from spatter resistance to thermal stability and scratch prevention. Forster America eliminates coated surfaces in favor of solid, high-quality alloys that retain their properties for life.
Unlike coated or painted tables that wear down over time, Forster’s solid gray cast iron and Al/Cu alloy rails offer consistent performance and structural reliability even under intense thermal and mechanical loads.
Gray Cast Iron Rails: Built for Lifetime Durability
Forster’s special gray cast iron rails are ideal for general fabrication and steel welding applications. They offer excellent spatter resistance, low thermal expansion, and rugged mechanical performance.
Key Benefits:
Spatter Protection via Aging Process
As gray cast iron ages, graphite naturally diffuses to the surface, creating a visible gray patina. This natural change helps resist weld spatter buildup without requiring coatings or chemical treatments.
Oil-Penetrated Microstructure
Separating oil seeps into the coarse, open-pored milled surface of the iron. When welding spatter hits the table, the oil evaporates, forming a gas bubble that causes the molten metal to cool and roll off the surface—reducing cleanup time.
High Dimensional Stability Under Heat
Gray cast iron has a lower expansion coefficient than steel, which minimizes distortion during welding. This is critical when working with precision fixtures or repeatable jigs.
High Load Capacity
Max point load per rail: 1.5 tons
Long-Term Reliability
Because the material is solid, not coated, its performance characteristics are preserved for life—no re-coating or replacement of surface layers needed.
Aluminum-Copper Alloy (Al/Cu): The Stainless Steel Welding Solution
For welding stainless steel and other non-ferritic metals, Forster’s Al/Cu alloy rails offer key advantages over ferrous alternatives. These rails are specifically designed to avoid ferritic contamination and scratching—critical when maintaining stainless integrity.
Key Benefits:
Ferritic Separation
The non-ferritic alloy composition enables clean, consistent separation between work materials and fixture surfaces, reducing the risk of surface transfer or contamination.
Scratch-Free Stainless Steel Welding
Aluminum-copper alloy doesn’t cause ferritic scratches on stainless steel, making it ideal for high-finish applications and sanitary weldments.
Excellent Thermal Conductivity
The high conductivity of aluminum helps dissipate heat during welding, reducing local warping and improving fixture accuracy.
Low Spatter Adhesion
Like gray cast iron, Al/Cu rails resist spatter sticking. This translates to a cleaner workspace and reduced downtime between jobs.
High Precision Tolerances
Surface flatness of ±0.05 mm, with flatness and angularity manufactured to ISO 2768 T2 H/fine standards.
Load Capacity
Max point load per rail: 1.0 ton
Designed for Modularity and Longevity
Both alloy systems are fully compatible with Forster’s modular rail platform, meaning individual rails can be replaced as needed without requiring a full table overhaul. Combined with Forster’s universal clamping accessories—including stainless-compatible fixtures—you can build a complete, adaptable solution tailored to your workflow.
These material advantages are especially beneficial when paired with Forster’s lift tables, vertical turntables, or horizontal rotary tables, offering ergonomic and functional integration across complex welding operations.
