TIG Welding Parameters for Steel
Base Metal
Thickness
DC Current for
Mild Steel
DC Current for
Stainless Steel
Tungsten Electrode
Diameter
Filler Rod Diameter
(if required)
Argon Gas
Flow Rate L/min
Joint Type
1.0mm (0.040”)
35 - 45
20 - 30
1.0mm (0.040”)
1.6mm (1/16”)
5 - 7
Butt / Corner
40 - 50
25 - 35
Lap / Fillet
1.2mm (0.045”)
45 - 55
30 - 45
1.0mm (0.040”)
1.6mm (1/16”)
5 - 7
Butt / Corner
50 - 60
35 - 50
Lap / Fillet
1.6mm (1/16”)
60 - 70
40 - 60
1.6mm (1/16”)
1.6mm (1/16”)
7
Butt / Corner
70 - 90
50 - 70
Lap / Fillet
3.2mm (1/8”)
80 - 100
65 - 85
1.6mm (1/16”)
2.4mm (3/32”)
7
Butt / Corner
90 - 115
90 - 110
Lap / Fillet
4.8mm (3/16”)
115 - 135
100 - 125
2.4mm (3/32”)
3.2mm (1/8”)
10
Butt / Corner
140 - 165
125 - 150
Lap / Fillet
6.4mm (1/4”)
160 - 175
135 - 160
3.2mm (1/8”)
4.0mm (5/32”)
10
Butt / Corner
170 - 200
160 - 180
Lap / Fillet
TIG WELDING TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshooting - TIG Weld Quality
Fault
Cause
Remedy
Excessive beard build up or poor penetra-
tion or poor fusion at edges of weld.
Welding current is too low.
Increase weld current and/or faulty joint preparation.
Weld bead too wide and flat or undercut at
edges of weld or excessive burn through.
Welding current is too high.
Decrease weld current.
Weld bead too small or insufficient
penetration or ripples in bead are widely
spaced apart.
Travel speed too fast.
Decrease weld current.
Weld bead too wide or excessive bead
build up or excessive penetration in butt
joint.
Travel speed too fast.
Increase travel speed.
Uneven leg length in fillet joint.
Wrong placement of filler rod.
Re-position filler rod.
Electrode melts or oxidises when an arc
is struck.
Torch lead connected to positive welding
terminal.
Connect torch lead to negative welding terminal.
No gas flowing to welding region.
Check the gas lines for kinks or breaks and gas cylinder contents.
Torch is clogged with dust or dirt.
Clean torch.
Gas hose is cut.
Replace gas hose.
Gas passage contains impurities.
Disconnect gas hose from the rear of Power Source then raise gas
pressure and blow out impurities.
Gas regulator turned off.
Turn on.
Torch valve is turned off.
Turn on.
The electrode is too small for the welding
current.
Increase electrode diameter or reduce the welding current.
Dirty weld pool
Electrode contaminated by contact with
work piece or filler rod material.
Clean the electrode by grinding off any contaminates.
Work piece surface has foreign material
on it.
Clean surface.
Gas contaminated with air.
Check gas lines for cuts and loose fitting or change gas cylinder.
Poor weld finish
Inadequate shielding gas.
Increase gas flow or check gas line for gas flow problems.
Arc start is not smooth.
Tungsten electrode is too large for the
welding current.
Select the right size electrode.
The wrong electrode is being used for the
welding job.
Select the right electrode type.
Gas flow rate is too high.
Select the right rate for the welding job.
Incorrect shielding gas is being used.
Select the right shielding gas.
Poor Work Lead/Clamp connection to
work piece.
Improve connection to work piece.
Arc flutters during TIG welding.
Tungsten electrode is too large for the
welding current.
Select the right size electrode.
ZZZVWUDWDFRQ]
