Tig (Gtaw) Basic Welding Technique - Firepower MST 180i Operating Manual

Firepower MST 180i

4.06 TIG (GTAW) Basic Welding Technique

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) as it is commonly referred to, is a welding process in which
fusion is produced by an electric arc that is established between a single tungsten (non-consumable) electrode and the work
piece. Shielding is obtained from a welding grade shielding gas or welding grade shielding gas mixture which is generally
Argon based. A filler metal may also be added manually in some circumstances depending on the welding application.
Welds Made With or Without
Addition of Filler Metal
Tungsten Electrode Current Ranges
Guide for Selecting Filler Wire Diameter
BASIC WELDING GUIDE
Art # A-10369_AB
Work Piece
Can Be Any Commercial
Metal
Figure 4-38: TIG Welding Application Shot
Electrode Diameter
0.040" (1.0mm)
1/16" (1.6mm)
3/32" (2.4mm)
1/8" (3.2mm)
5/32" (4.0mm)
3/16" (4.8mm)
Table 4-7: Current Ranges for Various Tungsten Electrode Sizes
Filler Wire Diameter DC Current Range (Amps)
1/16" (1.6mm)
3/32" (2.4mm)
1/8" (3.2mm)
3/16" (4.8mm)
Table 4-8: Filler Wire Selection Guide
Gas Cup
Either Ceramic,
High Impact or
Water Cooled
Metal
Inert Gas
Shields Electrode
and Weld Puddle
DC Current (Amps)
30-60
60-115
100-165
135-200
190-280
250-340
20-90
65-115
100-165
200-350
4-18
Tungsten Electrode
Non-Consumable
Manual 0-5339