TIG Welding

In Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) or gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), the welding is made by high heat of an electric arc between non-consumable tungsten electrode wire and the material to be joined with a shielding gas flow (inert gas). This gas flow will prevent contamination of the weld area by oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.

In this method, the electrode used is tungsten or its alloy. It is only

used to generate an arc. Arc does not melt the tungsten which has a

melting point of over 3800⁰C.

Filler material may not be used. However it is usually used except

for thin metals.

Depending upon the materials to be welded various shielding gases

used are: CO₂ , Argon, Argon-Helium mixture, Argon Oxygen  mixture.

Advantages

It is easier than MIG welding for thin plates and small parts

It produces high quality weld in nonferrous metals

Practically ,no weld cleaning is required

The arc and weld pools are clearly visible to the welder

Limitations

This method is not used as often on metal plates more than 1/4”

thickness