For join metal parts different processes are used. One of these is the process of welding, which can be done through different machines and even, in cold, with special products. However, in this article we are going to talk to you about the TIG welding, machines that are widely used and that, in addition, you can find in Metallic Transformations Toral.

What are TIG welding?

The TIG welding They get their name from the acronym Tungsten Iner Gas either Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), that is, there is a electric arc and a tungsten electrode involved in the process. For TIG welding to work, the presence of a gas or a mixture of gases.

And why use TIG welding for mechanize? This process is very effective because it allows us to obtain strong, ductile cords and not very sensitive to agents corrosive. This last peculiarity is possible thanks to the fact that the gas used acts as Protective barrier which prevents oxygen from coming into contact with the melting pool.

The jobs that TIG welding performs belong to the fusion welding processes. It is one of the most used procedures not only because of the results, but because it can be incorporated into different materials: stainless steel, nickel, aluminum and its alloys, among others. Additionally, it is used to manufacture small and simple parts such as tubes, even parts from the aeronautical industry.

How do TIG welding work?

For TIG welding to work, the presence of a tungsten electrode. The mechanism is simple: the electric current is distributed through the electrode which has the peculiarity of being resistant to temperature and not melting. The electrode forms a Electric arc or voltaic that heats and liquefies the material. That is, it heats and melts a part that is going to be welded or joined to another.

On the other hand, around the tungsten electrode there must be a gas contact tube protector or gas mixture. The function of these gases is to protect the hot material against chemical reactions in the environment, such as oxidation. TIG welding allows the use of noble gases such as helium, argon or the mixture of both.

tungsten electrodes

A key part of TIG welding is the tungsten electrode, since it has the highest melting point of all the pure metals (3,380º C). This means that the electrode is able to withstand the high temperatures of welding. without melting or melting, while the electric arc is produced that heats the material to weld it (join it).

Today, tungsten electrodes are manufactured using a process of sintering and, in addition, they can have various alloys to make them more resistant. It should be noted that these electrode coating processes have made there exist various types, classified by color:

• WP-Green. This is a pure tungsten electrode. Supports low current intensity.
• WS2-Turquoise. Rare earth oxide electrode, perfect for all materials.
• WC 20-Gray. Ceroxide electrode, suitable for all materials and with excellent ignition properties.
• WL 20-Blue. This electrode has a lanthanum oxide coating and has a longer life than ceroxide ones.

Jobs you can do in TIG welding

TIG welds are widely used not only for their finishes and the materials they support, but also for the variety of processes that they can do.

cold wire welding

This process allows increasing the productivity, since the welding speed increases, while the material is supplied in a very uniform and precise at the time of the merger. Cold wire welding can be performed by less experienced welders and achieve excellent results.

Hot wire welding

During this process, the filler material is heats up, but, curiously, hot wire welding comes from cold wire welding. Hot wire welding has great advantages for machining, since the volume and power of the fusion of materials increases. Furthermore, the speed is increased, while the mixture is reduced.

ArcTIG

He ArcTIG or Arctig It is a variant of TIG and is used for mechanical welding. This process is characterized because it gives an excellent appearance to the cord, but also guarantees a safe penetration of welding. The results are of great quality, but also, the entire process itself is very profitable. This is because the welding acquires greater speed and the seam does not need much preparation.

Recharge process

He recharge consists of covering the materials with alloys to extend its useful life. With this procedure it is possible cover very diverse pieces through high-speed mechanical reloading, such as Fronius, which is three times faster and more efficient.

Orbital welding

This process requires special equipment, commonly known as Orbital. Includes a fixed tube and a mobile TIG torch that can move around the tube. Orbital welding follows processes in controlled conditions. What is orbital welding used for? It is usually used for machining tubes, construction of oil pipelines and in the chemical and food industries.