Tig (Gtaw) Basic Welding Technique - Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i Operating Manual

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.
Art # A-10369
Welds Made With or Without
Addition of Filler Metal
Tungsten Electrode Current Ranges
Table 4-7: Current Ranges for Various Tungsten Electrode Sizes
Guide for Selecting Filler Wire Diameter
Manual 0-5191
Either Ceramic,
Work Piece High Impact or
Can Be Any Commercial
Metal
Inert Gas
Shields Electrode
and Weld Puddle
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)
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
4-23
Gas Cup
Water Cooled
Metal
DC Current (Amps)
30-60
60-115
100-165
135-200
190-280
250-340
20-90
65-115
100-165
200-350
Fabricator 181i
Tungsten Electrode
Non-Consumable
BASIC WELDING GUIDE