TIG Welding

TIG Welding

TIG or tungsten inert gas welding, also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), is a very stable arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert gas to create high-quality welds. Depending on the project, the use of filler metal is optional for TIG welding.

TIG welding is applied in all industrial sectors but it is mainly used in apparatus and pipeline construction in the chemical and food industries . When feeding filler rods to the weld pool, TIG welders have to use both hands at the same time. All this makes TIG welding a far more challenging process than MIG/MAG, where the filler wire is automatically fed from the welding torch. 

TIG welding is operated with a drooping constant current power source (DC or AC). In DC the tungsten electrode is always negative polarity to prevent overheating and melting. AC is used when welding materials with a tenacious oxide film, such as aluminium. Electrodes for TIG welding are normally pure tungsten with rare earth metal oxides (cerium, lanthanum, zirconia) give superior performance.

In TIG welding Argon is the most commonly used shielding gas which can be used for welding a wide range of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminium and titanium. Argon mixed with Helium or Hydrogen or Nitrogen can also be used depending on the material to be welded.  Energas have a wide range of high quality welding gases for TIG welding including ARCAL Prime for Pure Argon and Argon mixtures to suit all operational and welding. material needs.
 

Inert gases for TIG welding

 AdvantagesDisadvantages
Argon (Ar)
  • Good arc ignition
  • Consistent weld seam
  • No reaction with the base material
  • Easy handling and wide field of application
  • Average wetting properties
  • Low penetration depth achievable
Helium (He)
  • High arc voltage
  • Improved wetting properties
  • Pronounced penetration profile
  • Increased welding speed
  • Difficult arc ignition
  • Unstable arc
  • Requires increased gas flow
Nitrogen (N2)
  • Only used for root protection
  • Low addition to Ar mixture when welding duplex stainless steel
 
Hydrogen (H2)
  • High thermal conductivity
  • Improved wetting properties
  • Improves the appearance of the welding seam
  • High welding speed
  • Good penetration conditions
  • Risk of crack formation
  • Not suitable for aluminium (pore formation)

Welding gas selector guide

Welding gas selector

Helping you choose the right gas for your welding needs.

Select your material, welding type, wire type and material thickness and the tool which highlight our specific welding mixture suitable for your welding application.

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