TIG Welding Process Principles

Before TIG welding begins, all oil, grease, paint, rust, dirt, and other contaminants must be removed from the welded areas. This may be accomplished by mechanical means or by the use of vapor or liquid cleaners.

Striking the arc may be done by any of the following methods:

  •  Touching the electrode to the work momentarily and quickly withdrawing it.
  •  Using an apparatus that will cause a spark to jump from the electrode to the work.
  •  Using an apparatus that initiates and maintains a small pilot arc, providing an ionized path for the main arc.

High frequency arc stabilizers are required when alternating current is used. They provide the type of arc starting described above. High frequency arc initiation occurs when a high frequency, high voltage signal is superimposed on the welding circuit. High voltage (low current) ionizes the shielding gas between the electrode and the workpiece, which makes the gas conductive and initiates the arc. Inert gases are not conductive until ionized. For dc welding, the high frequency voltage is cut off after arc initiation. However, with ac welding, it usually remains on during welding, especially when welding aluminum.

When TIG welding manually, once the arc is started, the torch is held at a travel angle of about 15 degrees. For mechanized welding, the electrode holder is positioned vertically to the surface.

To start manual TIG welding, the arc is moved in a small circle until a pool of molten metal forms. The establishment and maintenance of a suitable weld pool is important and welding must not proceed ahead of the puddle. Once adequate fusion is obtained, a weld is made by gradually moving the electrode along the parts to be welded to melt the adjoining surfaces. Solidification of the molten metal follows progression of the arc along the joint, and completes the TIG welding cycle.

The TIG welding rod and torch must be moved progressively and smoothly so the weld pool, hot welding rod end, and hot solidified weld are not exposed to air that will contaminate the weld metal area or heat-affected zone. A large shielding gas cover will prevent exposure to air. Shielding gas is normally argon.

The TIG welding rod is held at an angle of about 15 degrees to the work surface and slowly fed into the molten pool. During TIG welding, the hot end of the welding rod must not be removed from the inert gas shield. A second method is to press the welding rod against the work, in line with the weld, and melt the rod along with the joint edges. This method is used often in multiple pass welding of V-groove joints. A third method, used frequently in weld surfacing and in making large welds, is to feed filler metal continuously into the molten weld pool by oscillating the welding rod and arc from side to side. The welding rod moves in one direction while the arc moves in the opposite direction, but the welding rod is at all times near the arc and feeding into the molten pool. When filler metal is required in automatic welding, the welding rod (wire) is fed mechanically through a guide into the molten weld pool.

The selection of welding position is determined by the mobility of the weldment, the availability of tooling and fixtures, and the welding cost. The minimum time, and therefore cost, for producing a weld is usually achieved in the flat position. Maximum joint penetration and deposition rate are obtained in this position, because a large volume of molten metal can be supported. Also, an acceptably shaped reinforcement is easily obtained in this position.

Good penetration can be achieved in the vertical-up position, but the rate of welding is slower because of the effect of gravity on the molten weld metal. Penetration in vertical-down welding is poor. The molten weld metal droops, and lack of fusion occurs unless high welding speeds are used to deposit thin layers of weld metal. The welding torch is usually pointed forward at an angle of about 75 degrees from the weld surface in the vertical-up and flat positions. Too great an angle causes aspiration of air into the shielding gas and consequent oxidation of the molten weld metal.

Joints that may be welded by this process include all the standard types, such as square-groove and V-groove joints, T-joints, and lap joints. As a rule, it is not necessary to bevel the edges of base metal that is 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) or less in thickness. Thicker base metal is usually beveled and filler metal is always added.

The gas tungsten arc welding process can be used for continuous welds, intermittent welds, or for spot welds. It can be done manually or automatically by machine.

The major operating variables summarized briefly are:

  • Welding current, voltage, and power source characteristics.
  • Electrode composition, current carrying capacity, and shape.
  • Shielding gas–welding grade argon, helium, or mixtures of both.

Filler metals that are generally similar to the metal being joined and suitable for the intended service.

Welding is stopped by shutting off the current with foot-or-hand-controlled switches that permit the welder to start, adjust, and stop the welding current. They also allow the welder to control the welding current to obtain good fusion and penetration. Welding may also be stopped by withdrawing the electrode from the current quickly, but this can disturb the gas shielding and expose the tungsten and weld pool to oxidation.

TIG Welding Filler Metals

The base metal thickness and joint design determine whether or not filler metal needs to be added to the joints. When filler metal is added during manual welding, it is applied by manually feeding the welding rod into the pool of molten metal ahead of the arc, but to one side of the center line. The technique for manual TIG welding is shown in figure 10-34.

TIG Welding Process : Technique