What is Tig Welding? Detailed discussion about TIG Welding

What is Tig Welding?

TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) is a type of arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The process involves creating an electric arc between the tungsten electrode and the metal being welded, which melts the metal and fuses it together with the help of a filler rod. The term "inert gas" in TIG welding refers to the use of an inert gas, such as argon or helium, to shield the weld from contamination by the surrounding air. This process produces very precise and high-quality welds, making it popular in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and metal fabrication. TIG welding is often used to weld thin sections of stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys.

Process of Tig Welding

The process of TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: Before starting the TIG welding process, the workpiece must be cleaned and prepared. The surfaces to be welded should be free of any contaminants, such as rust, oil, or paint. The edges of the workpiece should be chamfered or beveled to provide good penetration for the weld.
2. Setup: The TIG welding machine must be set up correctly before welding can begin. The correct type and size of tungsten electrode and filler rod must be selected, and the welding machine must be set to the appropriate current and polarity for the material being welded. The shielding gas flow rate should also be set correctly.
3. Tungsten Electrode Preparation: The tungsten electrode must be sharpened to a point using a grinding wheel or a dedicated tungsten electrode sharpener. The shape and size of the electrode tip will depend on the welding application and the thickness of the material being welded.
4. Welding: The TIG welding process involves striking an arc between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece using a foot pedal or torch switch. The welder must then maintain the arc and control the weld pool while feeding the filler rod into the weld zone. The welder must maintain a consistent distance between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece, as well as the correct angle of the electrode to produce a high-quality weld.
5. Shielding Gas: A continuous flow of shielding gas, typically argon or helium, is used to protect the weld pool from contamination by the surrounding air. The flow rate of the shielding gas should be set to the appropriate level for the welding application.
6. Finishing: Once the welding is complete, the weld area should be cleaned and inspected for any defects, such as cracks or porosity. Any excess filler rod should be removed, and the weld should be finished to the required surface finish.

Overall, the TIG welding process requires a high level of skill and experience to produce high-quality, precise welds. The welder must be able to control the arc and weld pool while maintaining the correct angle and distance between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tig Welding

TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) has several advantages and disadvantages, which are:

Advantages:

1. High Quality Welds: TIG welding produces high-quality, precise, and clean welds, making it suitable for welding thin sections and materials that require high accuracy and aesthetic finishes.
2. Versatility: TIG welding can be used to weld a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and exotic alloys.
3. Control: The welder can precisely control the heat input, arc length, and weld pool with a TIG welding machine, which helps to minimize distortion, spatter, and weld defects.
4. Low Spatter: TIG welding produces low spatter, which means less post-weld cleanup and a cleaner work environment.
5. No Fumes: TIG welding does not produce any harmful fumes or smoke, making it a safer welding process.

Disadvantages:

1. Slow Speed: TIG welding is a relatively slow process, which means that it may not be suitable for large or heavy-duty welds that require high production rates.
2. Skill Requirement: TIG welding requires a high level of skill and experience to perform effectively, as it involves precise control of the arc and filler material.
3. Equipment Cost: TIG welding machines and accessories can be expensive, making it a costly process compared to other welding processes.
4. Limited Penetration: TIG welding may not be suitable for materials that require deep penetration, such as thick steel plates.
5. Sensitivity: TIG welding is sensitive to wind and drafts, which can cause problems with the shielding gas and produce a poor quality weld.

Read More: What is Gas welding? Detailed Discussion about Gas Welding

Uses of Tig Welding:

TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) is a versatile process that has several uses in various industries. Some of the common uses of TIG welding are:

1. Aerospace: TIG welding is used extensively in the aerospace industry to weld aircraft components made of aluminum, titanium, and other exotic alloys. The high precision and quality of TIG welding make it suitable for aerospace applications where safety and reliability are critical.
2. Automotive: TIG welding is used to weld exhaust systems, roll cages, suspension components, and other automotive parts made of stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials. The high-quality welds produced by TIG welding ensure the durability and longevity of the parts.
3. Metal Fabrication: TIG welding is used in metal fabrication to weld thin sections and intricate designs, such as sculptures, railings, and ornamental structures. The precise control and low spatter of TIG welding make it suitable for producing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing welds.
4. Medical: TIG welding is used in the medical industry to weld components of medical devices and equipment, such as surgical instruments, pacemakers, and prosthetic devices. The cleanliness and precision of TIG welding ensure that the welds are free of contaminants and meet the strict requirements of the medical industry.
5. Power Generation: TIG welding is used in the power generation industry to weld components of turbines, generators, and other power plant equipment. The high-quality welds produced by TIG welding ensure the reliability and safety of these critical components.
6. Pipe Welding: TIG welding is used in the welding of pipes made of stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials. The precise control and low spatter of TIG welding make it suitable for welding pipes with tight tolerances and complex geometries.

Overall, TIG welding is a versatile process that is suitable for welding a wide range of materials and components in various industries.

Read More:  What is Arc Welding? Detailed discussion about Arc Welding

Tig Welding Types

There are several types of TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) based on the type of current used and the shielding gas used. Here are some of the common types of TIG welding:

1. DCEN TIG Welding: DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative) TIG welding is used for welding metals such as steel, nickel alloys, and copper alloys. The electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the welding machine, and the workpiece is connected to the positive terminal. This results in a deeper penetration and a narrower weld bead.
2. DCEP TIG Welding: DCEP (Direct Current Electrode Positive) TIG welding is used for welding metals such as aluminum and magnesium. The electrode is connected to the positive terminal of the welding machine, and the workpiece is connected to the negative terminal. This results in a wider, shallower weld bead and less penetration.
3. AC TIG Welding: AC (Alternating Current) TIG welding is used for welding metals such as aluminum and magnesium that have an oxide layer that must be removed before welding. The alternating current helps to clean the oxide layer while welding. AC TIG welding also produces a balanced weld bead with good penetration and a wide weld zone.
4. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): This is the technical name for TIG welding, which is a type of arc welding process that uses a tungsten electrode and an inert gas to protect the weld zone from atmospheric contamination.
5. Pulsed TIG Welding: Pulsed TIG welding is used for welding thin materials, and it helps to control the heat input and minimize distortion. The welding machine is set to pulse the current on and off at a specific frequency, which helps to maintain a consistent heat input and produce a precise weld.

Overall, the type of TIG welding used will depend on the type of material being welded, the thickness of the material, and the desired weld characteristics.

Read More: What is Mig Welding? Detailed discussion about Mig Welding

Difference between Tig welding and Mig Welding

TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) and MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas welding) are two different welding processes that are commonly used in metal fabrication. Here are some of the key differences between TIG welding and MIG welding:

1. Welding Process: TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode to produce an arc, while MIG welding uses a wire electrode that is fed through a welding gun.
2. Filler Material: In TIG welding, the filler material is added to the weld pool manually, while in MIG welding, the wire electrode melts and becomes the filler material.
3. Weld Appearance: TIG welding produces a narrow, precise weld bead with a clean appearance, while MIG welding produces a wider, flatter weld bead.
4. Skill Level: TIG welding requires a higher level of skill and experience than MIG welding, as the welder must control the arc and filler material simultaneously.
5. Materials: TIG welding is best suited for welding thin materials, while MIG welding is better for thicker materials.
6. Welding Speed: MIG welding is faster than TIG welding, as the wire electrode is continuously fed through the welding gun.
7. Equipment: TIG welding equipment is typically more expensive than MIG welding equipment, as it requires a more specialized welding machine and additional equipment such as a foot pedal.

Overall, both TIG welding and MIG welding have their advantages and disadvantages and are suited to different welding applications. TIG welding is best suited for precision welding of thin materials, while MIG welding is better for thicker materials and faster production rates.

Read More: What is Resistance Welding? Detailed Discussion about Resistance Welding