TIG welding is a stable arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert gas in the welding arc to create high-quality welds. It became a groundbreaking success during the 1940s when it was first used for welding together aluminium and magnesium alloys in the aerospace industry.<\/p>\n
While it started out as a solution to manufacture aircrafts, TIG welding eventually became an accelerator in different industries offering unmatched quality. A lot of advancements and innovations in technology have been made since and this process has become irreplaceable in many instances.<\/p>\n
Tungsten inert gas welding, also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), is a welding process<\/a> that joins pieces of metal together through a welding current. An inert gas is supplied to the welding torch that flows along the welding arc to protect the metals from oxidation and from forming small circular gaps. A tungsten electrode is assembled within the welding torch, which has a higher melting point than most metals.<\/p>\n TIG welding is sometimes confused with MIG welding<\/a>. Although they have their similarities, there are some key differences that need to be pointed out.<\/p>\n The main difference between MIG and TIG welding<\/a> processes is that TIG welding uses a non-consumable electrode and separate filler material <\/strong>(optional). While MIG uses a continuous, consumable wire electrode<\/strong> that is automatically fed to the welding gun.<\/p>\n TIG welding is most often performed when joining pipes and thin materials. This is thanks to its low heat input, which preserves the microstructure of the metals. When it comes to thicker materials, MIG (metal inert gas) welding is preferred. Given its lower cost versus other welding processes and its ability for high weld speeds, many resort to using MIG or spot welding<\/a> for mass production<\/a>.<\/p>\n TIG rarely creates spatter and typically requires only light polishing to remove any discoloration. It holds an edge over MIG welds when it comes to looks and thus it’s preferred when the workpiece is not coated or painted<\/a>, as is often the case when welding stainless steel<\/a> and aluminium. This does not mean that MIG welds can’t be aesthetically pleasing but it is rather common for MIG welds to be painted.<\/p>\n Depending on the project, the use of filler metal is optional for TIG welding. When feeding filler rods to the weld pool, TIG welders have to use both hands and control the heat input with the pedal at the same time. All this makes TIG welding a far more challenging process than MIG, where the filler wire is automatically fed from the torch. Most welders generally start out as MIG operators and then transition later into TIG welding.<\/p>\n TIG welding is not simply a plug-and-play process. The primary difference that sets the TIG welder machine apart from the others is its many adjustable features, such as the amperage flow, pulse amount, AC\/DC output and inert gas flow. With all these customisable functions available, the process of TIG welding is quite versatile.<\/p>\n The first step in the TIG welding process is to adjust the machine to the right settings, such as the current and voltage, through the rotating knobs on the machine. Next, the correct pressure for the inert gas in the supply tank must be set through a flowmeter regulator. The TIG torch should also be modified according to the project requirements by choosing an electrode with the correct diameter, TIG collet, and other parts. Above everything else, prioritise having clean protective gear to have a clear vision while doing welds.<\/p>\n After all the prep work is done, it’s time to weld the metals together. Several things should be considered to ensure a smooth flow of operation: the arc length, travel speed, torch angle, and other precautionary measures. TIG welds can run weld beads without filler material, only melting the base metals, but you can use it with filler rods or metal coils if the project requires it to.<\/p>\n Although the internet is filled with so-called TIG cold welding videos and pictures, this method has nothing to do with the actual cold welding process<\/a>. It focuses on the appearance of the welds but it actually lacks fusion due to significantly reduced heat input and is rather ineffective in creating strong, permanent joints<\/a>.<\/p>\nDifference Between TIG and MIG Welding<\/h3>\n
TIG Welding Process<\/h2>\n