GTAW

For GTAW, shielding gas always inert

(W reactive!)
Ar, He, or Ar+He mixture
• Welding grade 99.99%+ purity
 Argon Vs. Helium
 Cost
 He expensive
 Density
 Ar is heavier than air
 He lighter than air
 Ar 10X as heavy as He
 Ar provides better coverage (cross-draft resistance)
 Arc voltage (for same arc length)
 higher for He
 More heat
 Deeper penetration (good for thick section welding and
high thermal diffusivity materials)
 Ar better for thin sections
• Arc stability
– Better with Ar (low ionization potential)
– Smoother, quieter arc, easier arc
starting
– He not quite good for AC welding
– Ar for Al and Mg
– Ar good for out-of-position welding (smaller
pool)
 Ar-H mixtures
H addition → ↑ Arc energy, oxide reducing action

1-8% H added (more causes porosity)

5% H most common

H addition enables ↑ welding speeds

Only for SS, Ni alloys (no HIC!)

Gas flow rates: 7-16 L/min for Ar

14-24 L/min for He

Excessive flow rates → Turbulence, air aspiration

 Arc length
• Voltage monitoring
• As short as possible
• Burried arc in mechanized welding
 Wire feed
• Too high
– Low penetration
– Convex bead
• Too low
– Cracking, undercut, incomplete joint fill
 Electrodes
• AWS A5.12
• EWP
– Ball end
– Good for AC
– Al and Mg
– Limited current carrying capacity
– W inclusions
• EWTh
– 1% Thoria or 2% thoria
– Better DC arc stability
– 20% higher currents
– No W inclusions
– Sharp end
– Easier arc initiation
– Longer life
– Th is radioactive, good ventilation recommended
• EWCe
– No radiation hazard
– AC or DC
– 2% CeO2
• EWLa
– 1% La2O3
• EWZr
– Intermediate welding characteristics
– Best choice for AC welding
• EWG – other specific additions
 Strengths
• Precise control
• Thin section
• No worries with slag removal (no slag defects)
• Spatter free
• Suitability for all metals
• Reduced fumes
• Flexibility
• Independent control over heat and filler supplies
 Limitations
• Slow
• Very low deposition rates
• Expensive for thick sections
• Not suitable in windy/drafty environments
• Higher levels of skill and coordination
• W inclusions
• Porosity due to coolant leakage