Aluminum-based welding electrodes

A consumable welding electrode, comprising:

• a base metal composition comprising at least 70% by weight of aluminum;
• and
• a second metal capable of forming a binary eutectic with aluminum, wherein the binary eutectic undergoes a binary eutectic solidification at a eutectic temperature of 595-660° C.,
• wherein the second metal is present at a hypoeutectic concentration and in the form of a compound selected from an oxide, a halide, a hydroxide, a sulfide, a sulfate, a carbonate, a phosphate, a nitrite, a nitride, a carbide, a boride, an aluminide, a telluride or a combination thereof.

A consumable welding electrode, comprising:

• a base metal composition comprising at least 70% by weight of aluminum;
• and
• a second metal capable of forming a binary eutectic with aluminum, wherein the binary eutectic undergoes a binary eutectic solidification at a eutectic temperature of 595-660° C.,
• wherein the second metal is present in form and at a hypoeutectic concentration such that a molten weld metal formed from the consumable welding electrode has a fluidity that is higher by at least 5% relative to a molten weld metal formed under substantially the same welding conditions using a consumable welding electrode that has the same base metal composition without the second metal.