Welding Fluxes for GTAW

effect the surface tension of the weld pool molecules and

allow improved penetration on certain metals.

Preparing Aluminum for Welding

positively charged gas ions are attracted to the negative work
piece.
chip away at the brittle oxide much like a miniature sandblasting
operation.
The electron flow from the work to the electrode lifts the
loosened oxide leaving clean base metal to be welded.

Preparing Stainless Steel for Welding

Filler material used should be compatible

heat conductivity of chrome-nickel stainless steels are about
50% less than mild steel-tendency for distortion on thin sections.
carbide precipitation (800 1400 F)
. Rapid cooling through this range will help keep precipitation
to a minimum.
columbium or titanium are added to avoid the precipitation

Case study

Case study 1:
Paulo J. Modenesi, Eustaquio R. Apolinario, Iaci M. Pereira, TIG
welding with single-component Fluxes, Journal of Materials
Processing Technology 99 (2000) 260-265.
activated flux TIG (ATIG) welding process
thin layer of an active flux that results in a great increase in
weld penetration
This effect is, generally, connected to the capture of electrons
in the outer parts of the arc by elements of high
electronegativity, which constrict the arc causing an effect
similar to that used in plasma arc welding.

TIG welding of stainless steels

to joints of a maximum thickness of 3 mm and to
relatively low welding speed.
from the literature indicate that joints with a thickness of
6 mm, or even of 10 mm, can be welded in a single pass
with the ATIG process.
increase the anode current density and the arc force acting on the
welding pool - similarly to what happens in plasma arc welding.