From TIG Welding of Tungsten Electrode to the Parameters Choice of Manual TIG

Manual TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) is a kind of TIG welding of tungsten electrode, and this article mainly describes the welding parameters choice of it, including welding diameter, welding current and wire selection.
 (1) Welding diameter, welding current and wire selection
Typically, it is selected by the thickness of the weldment and its material.
Select Aluminum GTAW process parameters in accordance with Table 1 - Choice of alloy GTAW process parameters
Select its associated parameters according to Table 2 - Stainless steel and heat-resistant steel GTAW
(2) Welding current type and polarity
(3) Selection of welding speed
It is determined according to weld appearance and the effects of gas. If the welding speed is too slow, the weld is easy to burn and undercut; if too fast, the gas effect will be worse, the weld would be more prone to incomplete penetration and stomata.
(4) The nozzle diameter and the argon gas flow
Under normal circumstances, the nozzle diameter is about 12-16mm, it is selected according to the thickness of welding and welding current size. Argon gas flow rate should match the diameter of the nozzle, and the gas has reached a good protective effect.
(5) Tungsten projecting length
Under normal circumstances, it is 3-4mm
(6) The arc length
In ensuring the continuous arc, try to use short-arc welding.
Distance 
(7) The distance from the nozzle to the weldment
Under normal circumstances, it is typically from 8mm to 14mm.

Table 1 - Choice of alloy GTAW process parameters   Table 2 - Stainless steel and heat-resistant steel GTAW

Table 3 - Material, the electrode category and polarity selection


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From Tungsten Electrode to GTAW Equipment – Power Supply

The article is something of GTAW equipment, power supply, on tungsten electrode, which uses a constant current power source and the detail can be seen as below.

Gas tungsten arc welding uses a constant current power source, meaning that the current (and thus the heat) remains relatively constant, even if the arc distance and voltage change. This is important because most applications of GTAW are manual or semi-automatic, requiring that an operator hold the torch. Maintaining a suitably steady arc distance is difficult if a constant voltage power source is used instead, since it can cause dramatic heat variations and make welding more difficult.

The preferred polarity of the GTAW system depends largely on the type of metal being welded. Direct current with a negatively charged electrode (DCEN) is often employed when welding steels, titanium, nickel and other metals. It can also be used in automatic GTAW of aluminum or magnesium when helium is used as a shielding gas. The negatively charged electrode generates heat by emitting electrons, which travel across the arc, causing thermal ionization of the shielding gas and increasing the temperature of the base material. The ionized shielding gas flows toward the electrode, not the base material, and this can allow oxides to build on the surface of the weld. Direct current with a positively charged electrode (DCEP) is less common, and is used primarily for shallow welds since less heat is generated in the base material. Instead of flowing from the electrode to the base material, as in DCEN, electrons go the other direction, causing the electrode to reach very high temperatures. To help it maintain its shape and prevent softening, a larger electrode is often used. As the electrons flow toward the electrode, ionized shielding gas flows back toward the base material, cleaning the weld by removing oxides and other impurities and thereby improving its quality and appearance.

Alternating current, commonly used when welding aluminum and magnesium manually or semi-automatically, combines the two direct currents by making the electrode and base material alternate between positive and negative charge. This causes the electron flow to switch directions constantly, preventing the tungsten electrode from overheating while maintaining the heat in the base material. Surface oxides are still removed during the electrode-positive portion of the cycle and the base metal is heated more deeply during the electrode-negative portion of the cycle. Some power supplies enable operators to use an unbalanced alternating current wave by modifying the exact percentage of time that the current spends in each state of polarity, giving them more control over the amount of heat and cleaning action supplied by the power source. In addition, operators must be wary of rectification, in which the arc fails to reignite as it passes from straight polarity (negative electrode) to reverse polarity (positive electrode). To remedy the problem, a square wave power supply can be used, as can high-frequency voltage to encourage ignition. 

GTAW power supply

 

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From Tungsten Electrode to GTAW QualityⅡ

The article is the other part of GTAW quality on tungsten electrode, for example, the level of heat input impact on weld quality.

The level of heat input also affects weld quality. Low heat input, caused by low welding current or high welding speed, can limit penetration and cause the weld bead to lift away from the surface being welded. If there is too much heat input, however, the weld bead grows in width while the likelihood of excessive penetration and spatter increase. Additionally, if the welding torch is too far from the workpiece the shielding gas becomes ineffective, causing porosity within the weld. This results in a weld with pinholes, which is weaker than a typical weld.

If the amount of current used exceeds the capability of the electrode, tungsten inclusions in the weld may result. Known as tungsten spitting, this can be identified with radiography and can be prevented by changing the type of electrode or increasing the electrode diameter. In addition, if the electrode is not well protected by the gas shield or the operator accidentally allows it to contact the molten metal, and it can become dirty or contaminated. This often causes the welding arc to become unstable, requiring that the electrode be ground with a diamond abrasive to remove the impurity. 

GTAW Quality

 

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From Tungsten Electrode to GTAW Equipment – Welding TorchⅠ

The article is something Part one) of GTAW equipment, welding torch, on tungsten electrode, and the detail can be seen as below.

Part one
GTAW welding torch is designed for either manual or automatic operation and is equipped with cooling systems using air or water. The automatic and manual torch is similar in construction, but the manual torch has a handle while the automatic torch normally comes with a mounting rack. The angle between the centerline of the handle and the centerline of the tungsten electrode, known as the head angle, can be varied on some manual torches according to the preference of the operator. Air cooling system is the most often used for low-current operations (up to 200 A around), while water cooling is required for high-current welding (up to 600 A around). The torch is connected with cables to the power supply and with hoses to the shielding gas source and where used, the water supply.

The internal metal parts of a torch are made of hard alloys (such as, copper or brass) to transmit current and heat effectively. Tungsten electrode must be held firmly in the center of the torch with an appropriately sized collet, and ports around the electrode provide a constant flow of shielding gas. Collets are sized in accordance with the diameter of the tungsten electrode they hold. The body of the torch is made of heat-resistant, insulating plastics covering the metal components, providing insulation from heat and electricity to protect the welder. 

GTAW torch with various electrodes, cups, collets and gas diffusers

 

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From Tungsten Electrode to GTAW QualityⅠ

The article is one part of GTAW quality on tungsten electrode, for example, the maximum weld quality should be assured by means of maintaining cleanliness.

Because gas tungsten arc welding affords greater control over the weld area than other welding processes, so it can produce high-quality welds when operated by skilled operators. Maximum weld quality is assured by maintaining cleanliness—all equipment and materials used must be free from oil, moisture, dirt and other impurities, as these cause weld porosity and consequently a decrease in weld strength and quality. To remove oil and grease, alcohol or similar commercial solvents may be used, while a stainless steel wire brush or chemical process can remove oxides from the surfaces of metals like aluminum. Rust on steels can be removed by first grit blasting the surface and then using a wire brush to remove any embedded grit. These steps are especially important when negative polarity direct current is used, because such a power supply provides no cleaning during the welding process, unlike positive polarity direct current or alternating current. To maintain a clean weld pool during welding, the shielding gas flow should be sufficient and consistent so that the gas covers the weld and blocks impurities in the atmosphere. GTAW in windy or drafty environments will increase the amount of shielding gas necessary to protect the weld, and which will increase the cost and making the process unpopular outdoors. 

 

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