Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or often called TIG (Tungsten Innert Gas) is a process shielding gas to protect the

weld zone from the atmosphere, the shielding gas excludes the atmosphere from the molten puddle welded joints will more nearly possess the same chemical, metalurgy, physical properties as the base metal. This welding process where coalesence is achieved by heating with an electric arc produced by virtually nonconsumable tungsten electrode during the welding cycle a shield of inert gas expels the air from the welding area and prevents oxidation of the electrode, weld puddle, and surrounding heat affected zone (HAZ). In the GTAW electrode used creates the arc welding only and is not consumed in the weld. This welding needed filler rod to joints the metal is fed into the puddle. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding can be operated semi automatic or fully automatic, in semi automatic the current and gas flow are preset and function automatically. If full automatic the travel of the arc, arc distance, gas flow and filler rod are mechanically controlled. Apllication Gas tungsten arc welding to weld magnesium which always was somewhat difficult to weld because of its tendency to oxidize rapidly beside that GTAW was found to be very suitable for welding aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper and its alloy. In addtion to being very effective for welding a wide range of commercial types of metals, this process is now being used extensively to weld various combinations of dissimilar metals. For hardfacing damaged or worn steel dies and high speed cutting tools. Especially adaptable for welding light gage materials. Heavy steel plates 1/8 or more in thickness can be welded successfully. Equipment, GTAW consist some equipment like power supply, torch (electrode holder), a non consumeable elelctrode, flow meter, 1. Power Supply : in power supply can be choice of an AC or DC welder depends on certain distinct weld characteristic that may required. Some metals are joined with AC but some metals better results when DC current is used. 2. DCRP (direct current reverse polarity) in DCRP the flow of electron from the workpiece to the electrode, thus can causing a greater concentration of heat at the electrode so the electrode faster to be melt, DCRP requires a larger diameter electrode than DCSP. DCRP produces a narrow deep weld whereas DCRP with its larger diameter electrode and lower current forms a wide and shallow weld. DCRP rarely used in GTAW except for welding aluminium and magnesium, beside that also used to cleaning action of DCRP. The cleaning action develops of a bombardment of positive charged gas ions that are attracted to the negative charged workpiece. 3. DCSP (direct current straight polarity) in DCSP the flow of electron from the electrode to the workpiece, thus can causing a greater concentration of heat at the workpiece so the workpiece faster to be melt, the weld puddle is deeper and narrower than DCRP because of that the process is more rapid, less distortion of the base metal. 4. AC (alternating current) a characteristic of alternating current is that the current flows first in one direction and then in the other. A complete change of flow is referred to as a cycle.