GAS TUNGSTEN

ARC WELDING

GTAW
GAS TUNGSTEN ARC welding (GTAW) is an arc welding
process that uses an arc between a tungsten electrode
(nonconsumable) and the weld pool. The process is used with
shielding gas and without the application of pressure. The
process may be used with or without the addition of filler
metal.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The process uses a nonconsumable tungsten (or tungsten alloy) electrode
held in a torch. Shielding gas is fed through the torch to protect the
electrode, molten weld pool, and solidifying weld metal from
contamination by the atmosphere. The electric arc is produced by the
passage of current through the conductive, ionized shielding gas. The arc is

established between the tip of the electrode and the work. Heat generated
by the arc melts the base metal. Once the arc and weld pool are
established, the torch is moved along the joint and the arc progressively

melts the faying surfaces. Filler wire, if used, is usually added to the
leading edge of the weld pool to fill the joint.

 Four basic components are common to all GTAW

setups,
(1) Torch
(2) Electrode
(3) Welding power source
(4) Shielding gas

PROCESS VARIBLES
Arc Current
Arc current controls the weld penetration, the effect being
directly proportional, if not somewhat exponential. Arc current
also affects the voltage, with the voltage at a fixed arc length
increasing in proportion to the current. For this reason, to keep a
fixed arc length, it is necessary to change the voltage setting
when the current is adjusted.

Arc Voltage
THE VOLTAGE MEASURED between the tungsten electrode

and the work is commonly referred to as the arc voltage.

Arc voltage is a strongly dependent variable, affected by the
following:
(1) Arc current
(2) Shape of the tungsten electrode tip

(3) Distance between the tungsten electrode and the

(4) Type of shielding gas

 Arc length is important with this process

because it affects the width of the weld pool;
pool width is proportional to arc length.
Therefore, in most applications other than
those involving sheet, the desired arc length is
as short as possible.

Travel Speed
TRAVEL SPEED AFFECT'S both the width and
penetration of a gas tungsten arc weld. However, its
effect on width is more pronounced than that on

penetration. Travel speed is important because of its

effect on cost.

Energy Distribution At The TIG Welding

Arc

Fig. 9 Energy Distribution at the Welding Arc[2]

10 December 2014

Modeling The Effect Of TIG Arc

Process Parameters On Arc Welds

12

Cont

Where
Et =
Ei =
Em =
Et =

10 December 2014

Total Energy Input/Unit Length;

Total Energy Entering Plate;
Energy to Melt Weld Bead;
Ei + Losses

Modeling The Effect Of TIG Arc

Process Parameters On Arc Welds

13

DESTRIBUTION OF HEAT WITH IN

ELCTRODE/WORK PIECE

(1)DCEN (2) DCEP (3) AC Balanced