TIG/GTAW
Tungsten Inert Gas
TIG – Tungsten Inert Gas welding is a welding process in which a tungsten electrode is used to strike the arc, which melts both the metal to be welded and the filler metal. The electrode is not consumed in the process and an inert gas is used to shield the electrode and the molten weld pool. This process is also referred to as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
A TIG weld is harder to produce, requiring the welder to use two hands to coordinate the arc and the filler metal. It is also a slower and more expensive process than consumable arc processes such as GMAW. However, it provides the highest quality weld and can be used on a wider range of materials, thicknesses and positions.
Often, TIG welding will be used to lay down a high-quality root pass and then the rest of the weld will be laid down using another less-expensive process, such as GMAW.
For more information on TIG see:
http://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/tungsten-inert-gas-tig-or-gta-welding-006/
For safety information on TIG see:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/wl11.pdf
What the hec?! articles are not intended to be the definitive account on the topic or acronym in question. Readers’ comments and contributions are welcomed. Email: ndtnews@bindt.org
