6 BASIC WELDING GUIDE
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© ESAB AB 2021
6.6 TIG (L-GTAW) basic welding technique
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (L-GTAW) or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) 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 workpiece. 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.
Figure 75: TIG (L-GTAW) welding application
1 Workpiece
4 Inert gas
2 Gas cup
5 Filler metal
3 Tungsten electrode
•
Workpiece
Can be any commercial metal
•
Gas cup
Either ceramic, high-impact or water cooled metal
•
Tungsten electrode
Non-
consumable •
Inert gas
Shields electrode and weld puddle
•
Filler metal
Welds are made with or without addition of filler metal
Tungsten electrode current ranges
Table 15: Current ranges for various tungsten electrode sizes
Electrode diameter
DC current
0.040 in. (1.0 mm)
30-60 A
1/16 in. (1.6 mm)
60-115 A
3/32 in. (2.4 mm)
100-165 A
1/8 in. (3.2 mm)
135-200 A
5/32 in. (4.0 mm)
190-280 A
3/16 in. (5 mm)
250-340 A
