TIG or Tungsten Inert Gas is technically known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. The TIG welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode which is responsible for delivering current in the arc. The tungsten and weld puddle are protected and cooled through an inert gas, mostly Argon. TIG welding is similar to oxy-acetylene welding in that it uses a filler material to build-up reinforcement. TIG welding is often called Heli-Arc welding because of the early popularity of the Hobart Heli-Arc machine and many old-timers still refer to it by that name. TIG welding is mostly used for welding Steel and Aluminium and requires a high level of patience and skill. TIG welding, in general, needs a pair of steady and skilful pair of hands, but this skill is not hard to acquire with practice. It is also sensitive to how you have the welding area set up.
A large number of components go into making the TIG welding process work. As important as individual skill may be, to get the most out of TIG welders, one should choose the right welder, electrodes, as well as pay close attention to accessories like the torch and gas control apparatus. TIG welding relies on the selection of right tools for the job and each component plays a critical role in the welding process. Here is a brief description of the kind of aspects you will need to keep in mind when working with a TIG welder to get the best results. Choosing the Right Electrode The Tungsten electrode is a non-consumable electrode. Tungsten has the highest melting point among all metals at 3,422C (6192F). This property of Tungsten makes it optimal for carrying the current to the arc. Tungsten electrodes come in a variety of diameters ranging from 1mm to 40mm (0.040 to 5/32 inches). According to the industry standards, they are available in lengths of 18cm or 7 inches. You can also choose custom lengths but they cost more than the standard ones. To reduce the confusion among various types of tungsten electrodes, a coloured band is applied on the tip of the electrode. They generally come in five colour codes: pure tungsten (green), 2% ceriated (orange), 1.5% lanthanted (gold), rare earth (grey) and 2% thoriated (red). Each one of them has different purposes and functions, though a lot of them overlap. For instance, lanthanated tungsten can do all that thoriated tungsten electrodes can. However, Butt fusion welding machines while the former is used for AC TIG welding, the latter is not. The shape of the tip of the electrode is also important in the welding process. There are three ways to prepare tungsten for welding – balled, pointed, and truncated. The preparation of the tungsten depends on the type of the tungsten you are using and the metals to be welded. Welder There is no single welding process which suits all welding operation. TIG welding uses AC for Magnesium and Aluminium and DC with straight polarity (DCSP) for ferrous metals like iron and steels. For TIG welding operations, AC/DC TIG welders offer the maximum versatility and the output current can be modified to be used as per the requirement.
These TIG welders do cost more, but also allow you to take on special projects that cannot be done with other welders such as MIG or MMA welders. Accessories TIG welding provides excellent finish and high quality. It is commonly used for many cosmetic operations where appearance and strength are both important. Accessories like the shielding and cooling gas and the welding torch are important but they do not affect the quality of work to the same degree as the electrodes and welder do. You can choose Argon or and Argon-CO2 mix for most welding operations. About the Author: Kym Morgan is the marketing director of eWelders.com.au, a leading online specialty welding site in Australia. They sell a massive range of MIG Welders, TIG Welders, ARC Welders, Inverter Welders, Multi-Purpose Welders, High Function TIG Welders, AC/DC TIG Inverters, Spot Welders and Engine Driven Welders in Australia. Their mission at eWelders.com.au is to gather Australia’s best range of welders and put them under one roof.