Friday, November 21, 2014

Intro to TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas Welding is one of the most versatile and high quality welding processes available. Just looking at a correctly laid bead you can see how aesthetically pleasing it is, and the strength shouldn't be questioned. Aluminum is the most common material to be used with TIG, however almost any metal can be used with it. This includes stainless steel, copper, and even dissimilar metals! Now before we go any further, lets get familiar with the naming conventions.

TIG is also commonly referred to as GTAW, however I prefer TIG so I will stick to that for the rest of this blog. GTAW stands for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Whatever you prefer, stick with it. There is no difference, however I believe TIG rolls of the tongue a bit smoother.

What is all this talk about "Gas" or "Inert Gas" anyway?  The gas is called a Shielding Gas, its purpose is to protect the weld from oxygen and water vapor. It provides a shield effect, protecting the weld very efficiently. Inert is a scientific term, which simply means it does not react with very many substances. I shouldn't need to explain why the gas you're using to shield the weld with probably shouldn't be undergoing chemical reactions.

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