TIG Welding Introduction

Training and workshops center

Welding workshop
By MSc. Mohammed sabeeh
 Outline
► Background/Advantages & Disadvantages
► Preparation for TIG Welding
► Techniques for Basic Weld Joints
► TIG Shielding Gases
► Welding Parameters
► Tungsten Electrode Selection
► Conclusion

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 Background
► What is TIG?
 Tungsten Inert Gas
► Also referred to as GTAW
 Gas Shielded Tungsten Welding
► InTIG welding, a tungsten electrode heats
the metal you are welding and gas (most
typically Argon) protects the weld from
airborne contaminants
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 Background
► TIG welding uses a non-consumable
tungsten
► Filler metal, when required, is added by
hand
► Shielding gas protects the weld and
tungsten

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 Advantages
► Welds more metals
and metal alloys than
any other process
► High quality and
precision
► Pin point control
► Aesthetic weld beads
► No sparks or spatter
► No flux or slag
► No smoke or fumes
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Disadvantages
► Lower filler metal
deposition rates
► Good hand-eye
coordination a required
skill
► Brighter UV rays than
other processes
► Slower travel speeds than
other processes
► Equipment costs tend to
be higher than other
processes
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 TIG Equipment
► The heat energy put into the metal being
welded is dependent upon the amperage,
arc voltage, and polarity of the arc.

► The term polarity is used in describing DC

welding circuits and refers to the direction
of current flow.

ENBE 499 7
 TIG Equipment
► Directcurrent flowing from the electrode (–)
to the workpiece (+) is direct current
straight polarity, or DCSP.

ENBE 499 8
 TIG Equipment
► Current which flows from the workpiece (–)
to the electrode (+) is direct current reverse
polarity, or DCRP.

ENBE 499 9
TIG Equipment

ENBE 499 10
 TIG Equipment
► Formost TIG welding jobs, a sharp, pointed
electrode is used for welding with DCSP
current, The length of the ground surface of
the electrode should be about two and one
half the electrode diameter

ENBE 499 11
 TIG Equipment
►electrodes form a hemispherical or balled
tip and are mainly used for welding with
AC current or DCRP
►The diameter of the balled end should
not exceed one and one-half times the
electrode diameter, because the
excessive current will consume the
electrode too quickly
ENBE 499 12
TIG Equipment

ENBE 499 13
 Techniques for Basic Weld Joints
Arc Length
► Arc length normally one electrode diameter, when
AC welding with a balled end electrode
► When DC welding with a pointed electrode, arc
length may be much less than electrode diameter

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Techniques for Basic Weld Joints
Gas Cup Size
► Inside diameter of gas
cup should be at least
three times the
tungsten diameter to
provide adequate
shielding gas coverage
► Picture on right shows
example of gas cup
size and torch position
1-Workpiece, 2-Work clamp, 3-Torch, 4-Filler rod,
5-Gas cup, 6-Tungsten electrode 15

*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Techniques for Basic Weld Joints

1-Workpiece, 2-Work clamp, 3-Torch, 4-Filler rod,

5-Gas cup, 6-Tungsten electrode 16

*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

Techniques for Basic Weld Joints
Electrode Extension
► Refers to distance the tungsten extends out
beyond the gas cup
► May vary from flush with the gas cup to no more
than the inside diameter of the gas cup
► Longer the extension, the more likely it may
contact something by accident
► General rule would be to start with an extension of
one electrode diameter
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TIG Shielding Gases
►Argon
►Helium
►Argon/Helium
Mixtures
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 1. Argon
►The most commonly used gas
because it is cheaper and 10 times
heavier than helium.
►Argon is 1.4 times heavier than air
and gives better control of the arc
and weld puddle because it is a
heavier gas than helium.
ENBE 499 19
 1. Argon
►Since argon is heavy, lower flow
rates are needed for welding in the
flat position.
►The heavy shielding gas is a
disadvantage for welding in the
overhead position.

ENBE 499 20
 2. Helium

►Helium shielding gas is used for

welding thick sections of metal and
when higher arc voltages and
higher weld zone temperatures are
needed.

ENBE 499 21
ENBE 499 22
 TIG Shielding Gases
Argon Helium
► Good arc starting ► Faster travel speeds
► Good cleaning action ► Increased penetration
► Good arc stability ► Difficult arc starting
► Focused arc cone ► Less cleaning action
► Lower arc voltages ► Less low amp stability
► 10-30 CFH flow rates ► Flared arc cone
► Higher arc voltages
► Higher flow rates (2x)
► Higher cost than argon

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 TIG Shielding Gases
Argon/Helium Mixtures
► Improved travel speeds over pure argon
► Improved penetration over pure argon
► Cleaning properties closer to pure argon
► Improved arc starting over pure helium
► Improved arc stability over pure helium
► Arc cone shape more focused than pure helium
► Arc voltages between pure argon and pure helium
► Higher flow rates than pure argon
► Costs higher than pure argon

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 Conclusion
► TIG welding is an exciting skill that proves itself useful in
countless applications
► Because it welds more metal and metal alloys than any
other process, TIG welding should be regarded as an
important tool where experience is the teacher
► Welding parameters and tungsten electrode selection
tables are recommended values and should be used as a
guideline
► Information presented here is only the tip of the iceberg,
and further research and hands-on involvement should be
pursued to be comprehensive

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 Welding Parameters

Aluminum weld parameters

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Welding Parameters

Aluminum with advanced squarewave weld parameters

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Welding Parameters

Stainless steel weld parameters

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Welding Parameters

Titanium weld parameters

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Welding Parameters

Mild steel weld parameters

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*Figure copied from “TIG Handbook”

 Tungsten Electrode Selection

Guide to selecting a tungsten electrode based on amperage range

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*Figure copied from “Guidelines to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)”