Below are some common problems and tips on how to correct them with
performing TIG welding.
|
Possible Cause
|
Corrective Action
|
|
GTAW - Tungsten Contamination
|
| Using Scratch Starting |
Use Strike Plate or High
Frequency to Start the Arc |
| Erratic Grind Marks in Preparing the
Tungsten (DC-) |
Re-dress the Tungsten and
Grind Parallel to the Tungsten |
| Tungsten Touching the Work Piece |
Keep the Tungsten Free From
Touching the Work Piece |
| Tungsten Touching the Filler Material |
Add the Filler Material to the
Leading Edge of the Puddle |
| Excessive Current for Diameter of
Tungsten |
Lower
the Current, Use a Larger Diameter or Higher Current Carrying Capacity
Tungsten |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Difficult Arc Starting on DC
|
| Not
Enough Shielding Gas |
Check for Proper Gas Flow Rate |
| Tungsten Diameter too Large |
Use Smaller Tungsten Diameter |
| Wrong Tungsten Alloy |
Ensure Proper DC Tungsten |
| Tungsten Recessed too Far |
Decrease Tungsten Tip to Work
Piece Distance |
| Poor Work Piece Connection and/or in
Poor Condition |
Tighten Work Piece Connection
and/or Replace Cables |
| Tungsten
Electrode in Poor Condition |
Redress Tungsten to a Conical
Angle or Point |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Difficult Arc Starting on AC
|
| Not
Enough Shielding Gas |
Check for Proper Gas Flow Rate |
| Tungsten Diameter too Large |
Use Smaller Tungsten |
| Wrong Tungsten Alloy |
Ensure Proper AC Tungsten |
| Tungsten Recessed too Far |
Decrease Tungsten Tip to Work
Piece Distance |
| Tungsten Diameter too Large |
Use Smaller Tungsten Diameter |
| Poor
Work Piece Connection and/or in Poor Condition |
Tighten Work Piece Connection
and/or Replace Cables |
| Tungsten
Electrode in Poor Condition |
Redress Tungsten to a Ball |
| Loss of High Frequency |
Check High Frequency Intensity,
Check Spark Gap and Ensure Good Grounding |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Arc Wandering on DC
|
| Tungsten
in Poor Condition |
Redress Tungsten to a Conical
Point |
| Erratic Grind Marks |
Redress Tungsten to Have Grind
Marks Parallel to Tungsten |
| Excessive Arc Length |
Decrease Tungsten Tip to Work
Piece Distance |
| Improper Shielding Gas Flow Rates |
Ensure Gas Flow Rate of
20-30 cfh |
| Coiled Up Cables or Cables too Small
Causing Excessive Resistance |
Uncoil Cables and Ensure Proper
Cable Size and Length. Keep Cables in Good Repair. |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Arc Wandering on AC
|
| Tungsten in Poor Condition |
Redress Tungsten to a Ball
Decrease the Size of the Ball |
| Frosted
or Contaminated Tungsten |
Remove Contaminated Portion of
Tungsten and Redress |
| Improper Gas Flow Rate |
Ensure Gas Flow Rate of 20-30 cfh |
| Improper Tungsten Diameter and/or
Type |
Ensure Proper Alloy and Size of
Tungsten |
| AC Wave Balance in Improper Position |
Change the AC Wave Balance for
More Penetration |
| Excessive Oxides on Base Material |
Clean Base Material Prior to
Welding |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Unstable Arc on DC
|
| Welding
Polarity Incorrect |
Ensure DC- Welding Polarity |
| Excessive Arc Length |
Reduce Tungsten Tip to Work Piece
Distance |
| Contaminated Tungsten |
Redress Tungsten to a Conical
Point with Parallel Grind Marks |
| Contaminated Base Material |
Clean Base Material Prior to
Welding |
| Excessive Welding Amperage |
Decrease Welding Amperage or
Change to a Larger Tungsten Diameter |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Unstable Arc on AC
|
| Contaminated Tungsten |
Redress Tungsten to a Ball |
| Improper
Shielding Gas |
Reduce the Percentage of Helium
Shielding Gas. Use 100% Argon |
| Contaminated Base Material |
Clean Base Material Prior to
Welding |
| AC
Wave Balance in Improper Position |
Change
AC Wave Balance for More Penetration |
| Excessive Rectification |
Increase Welding Travel Speed |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Weld Bead Porosity
|
| Hydrogen Pick Up |
Remove Moisture From Base
Material and/or Gas Lines |
| Condensation in TIG Torch |
Check Torch Fittings. Use a Water
Cooler vs. Tap Water Line. |
| Insufficient Gas Flow Rate |
Ensure Gas Flow Rate of 20-30 cfh |
| Contaminated Base Material |
Clean Base Material Prior to
Welding |
| Gas Lines and Fittings in Poor Repair |
Check Gas Hoses and Fittings and
Replace if Necessary |
| Improper or Insufficient Filler
Material |
Use Filler Material and Ensure
Proper Material for Application |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Tungsten Consumption
|
| Insufficient Gas Flow Rate |
Ensure Gas Flow Rate of 20-30 cfh |
| Machine on DC+ Polarity |
Change Welding Polarity to DC-or
Use Larger Tungsten Diameter |
| Tungsten Diameter too Small for
Welding Current |
Decrease Amperage or Change to
Larger Tungsten Diameter |
| Contaminated Tungsten |
Redress Tungsten According to
Polarity and Application |
| Tungsten Oxidation During Cooling |
Use Afterflow Feature on Power
Supply |
| Improper Shielding Gas |
Ensure Use of Inert Shielding Gas |
|
|
|
GTAW -
Tungsten/Shield Cup Discoloring
|
| Insufficient Gas Flow Rate |
Ensure Gas Flow Rate of 20-30 cfh |
| Improper Shielding Gas |
Ensure the Use of an Inert
Shielding Gas |
| Insufficient Postflow |
Increase Postflow Time on Power
Supply |
| Improper Tungsten Diameter |
Ensure Tungsten Diameter is
Appropriate for Amperage and Application |
Below are the typical Current Ranges for Tungsten Electrodes
With Argon Gas
