TIG welding and Tungsten Electrode Property Requirements

TIG welding is also known as inert gas shielded arc welding. It usually uses high melting point metal such as thorium tungsten, cerium tungsten, tungsten and other refractory metal as non-consumable electrode of electric arc, using inert gas as the medium of electric arc and protective atmosphere, so that weld pool and electric arc will not affected by air during welding. It was proposed in 1930 when aviation industry has strived to develop at that time. On the other hand, SMAW and SAW welding can not meet airline industry non-ferrous metal welding. Besides, atomic hydrogen welding is more dangerous, and there will be welding line problems. Therefore, in order to meet the aviation industry non-ferrous metal welding requirements, TIG emerged.

Using TIG welding for metal welding not only has stable arc length and tungsten electrode difficult to melt, but also it has good protect effect and reliable crafts. It is suitable for welding non-ferrous metals and their alloys and welding material thickness is generally less than 3mm. TIG welding equipment including: welding power supply, ignition unit and control system; protection gas supply device; cooling water; welding gun and so on.

Tungsten electrode is an important part of TIG welding. Tungsten electrodes, thorium tungsten electrodes, cerium tungsten electrodes, zirconium tungsten electrode, yttrium tungsten electrode, lanthanum tungsten electrode and other composite tungsten electrodes are usually used in TIG welding. Each tungsten electrodes species has its own characteristics. Depending on different welding application can take different tungsten electrodes type. Tungsten electrodes are used in TIG welding having some property requirements:
1. Arc is easy ignition and stable;
2. The arc happens at the electrode front-end, without cathode spots climbing;
3. During welding, electrode consumption and deformation will not affect the property of the arc.

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