Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), commonly known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld.
The weld area is protected by a shielding gas (usually an inert gas like argon) to keep its strength, and a filler metal is normally used.
A constant-current welding power supply produces energy, which is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors known as plasma.
GTAW
Is most commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and light metals, such as aluminum, magnesium and copper alloys.
The process gives the welder greater control over the weld than competing procedures, such as shielded metal arc welding and gas metal arc welding, allowing for stronger, higher quality welds. However, GTAW is comparatively more complex and difficult to master, and it is significantly slower than most other welding techniques.
Filler Metals
A filler metal is a metal added in the making of a joint through welding, brazing or soldering. Four types of filler metals exist. They are covered electrodes, bare electrode wire or rod, tubular electrode wire and welding fluxes. Sometimes, non-consumable electrodes are included as well, but since these metals are not consumed by the welding process, they are normally excluded. Covered electrodes are used extensively in shielded metal arc welding and are a major factor in that method’s popularity. Bare electrode wires are used in gas metal arc welding, and bare electrode rods are used in gas tungsten arc welding. Tubular electrode wire is used in flux-cored arc welding. Welding fluxes are used in submerged arc welding.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Comprehension Questions Directions:
Study the section first, and then test yourself.
1) Are GTAW and TIG welding the same thing?
2) A tungsten electrode is used to weld. Describe its characteristics.
3) What is GTAW most commonly used to weld?
4) What are two advantages of GTAW?
5) What are the disadvantages?
6) What is a filler metal?
7) Name the four types of filler metals:
