Gas tungsten arc welding

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area and electrode are protected from oxidation or other atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas (argon or helium). A filler metal is normally used, though some welds, known as autogenous welds, or fusion welds do not require it. When helium is used, this is known as heliarc welding. A constant-current welding power supply produces electrical energy, which is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors known as a plasma. GTAW is most commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys. The process grants the operator greater control over the weld than competing processes such as shielded metal arc welding and gas metal arc welding, allowing for stronger, higher quality welds. However, GTAW is comparatively more complex and difficult to master, and furthermore, it is significantly slower than most other welding techniques. A related process, plasma arc welding, uses a slightly different welding torch to create a more focused welding arc and as a result is often automated.

• the difficulty of working outdoors during windy weather. The wind blows the protective gas out of the welding zone, fights it by using a barrier or increasing the gas supply, which affects its increased consumption;
• better preparation of metals is required before welding in search of MMA;
• the design of the burner does not differ in the special weldability of parts at an angle;
• after ignition, a trace remains outside the welding zone, which must be cleaned.

• minimal deformations in the welded metals due to the small heating zone;
• high quality joints, due to the protection of the weld pool with argon, which gives oxygen;
• speed of work;
• does not require labor costs for the post-processing of the seam;
• a wider range of weldable materials compared to MMA.