TIG / GTAW welders use a non-consumable tungsten electrode; filler is added by hand or by a wire feeder. The arc is stable, heat input is controllable, the bead is clean and there is essentially no spatter — the highest quality of any welding process, and the most demanding on operator skill. Icyrobot supplies both inverter DC pulsed TIG and AC/DC TIG series.
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Icyrobot Welding & Cutting Equipment Co., Ltd.
Service Hotline: +86-10-61805655 / +86-17268660088
Email: lcy@lcyrobot.com
R&D Centre: Suite 1110, Zeyang Tower, 166 Fushi Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing
Production Base: 1/F, Block 6, Future Sci-Tech City, 165 Yuxiang Street, Luancheng District, Shijiazhuang
TIG / Argon Arc Welder
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WSM DC Pulsed TIG WelderWSM-315 / 400 / 1000 IGBT DC pulsed TIG welding machine, built with digital inverter technology for complete …Learn More
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AC / DC Inverter TIG WelderAC / DC inverter TIG welding machine using digital inverter control technology, providing the full set of cha…Learn More
DC TIG versus AC/DC TIG
| Type | Materials | Principle | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC TIG (DCEN) | Carbon steel, stainless, titanium, copper and alloys | Electrode negative puts heat into the work for deep penetration | Pressure vessels, pipe root passes, thin stainless |
| AC TIG | Aluminium and magnesium | Positive half-cycle scrubs oxide, negative half-cycle provides penetration | Aluminium vessels, heat exchangers, rail transit alloy parts |
| Pulsed TIG | Thin sheet, all positions, heat-sensitive alloys | Peak melts, background solidifies, controlling heat input | Thin-wall tube, dissimilar steels, one-side welding |
Product line
- WSM inverter DC pulsed TIG — adjustable pulse frequency and balance; excellent distortion control on thin sheet and pipe roots;
- Inverter AC/DC TIG — full aluminium capability with adjustable cleaning width and square-wave output.
Four specifications worth checking
- Current range and floor — thin-sheet work depends on low-current stability; holding 5–10 A cleanly is what keeps the tungsten from eroding.
- Duty cycle — continuous work such as pipe root passes should be judged on the rated current at 60% or 100% duty.
- Pulse capability — frequency range, background current ratio, low-frequency pulsing and weaving.
- Arc starting — HF start is convenient but disturbs nearby electronics; Lift TIG (contact start) is safer around sensitive equipment.
Common defects
| Defect | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Tungsten inclusions | Current too high, wrong tip angle, touching the pool | Reduce current, grind to specification, increase stick-out |
| Porosity | Insufficient gas, draughts, oil/water/rust on parent metal | Increase flow, shield the area, clean the joint, check gas lines |
| Black, oxidised bead | Low gas purity, poor trailing shield, gas cut-off too early | Use high-purity argon, add back purging, set post-flow |
| Lack of fusion | Low heat input, travel too fast | Raise current or slow down, correct the bevel angle |
Welding procedure qualification and parameter practice can be referenced against the standards published by the American Welding Society at aws.org.
Frequently asked questions
Is AC mandatory for aluminium?
Yes. Aluminium oxide melts near 2 050 °C versus about 660 °C for the base metal, so the oxide must be removed by the cathodic cleaning action of the AC positive half-cycle. DC produces incomplete fusion on aluminium.
Which tungsten should I use?
Ceriated (grey) or lanthanated for DC carbon steel and stainless; zirconiated or pure tungsten for AC aluminium. Thoriated is being phased out over radioactivity concerns.
Does pulsed TIG really reduce distortion?
Yes. Pulsing cuts total heat input by 20–40% while the peak current still guarantees penetration, so angular and wave distortion on thin sheet drop markedly — one of the best value distortion controls available.
For procedure qualification support and model selection, contact Icyrobot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AC mandatory for aluminium?
Yes. Aluminium oxide melts near 2050 C versus about 660 C for the base metal, so the oxide must be removed by the cathodic cleaning of the AC positive half-cycle.
Which tungsten should I use?
Ceriated or lanthanated for DC carbon steel and stainless; zirconiated or pure tungsten for AC aluminium. Thoriated is being phased out over radioactivity concerns.
Does pulsed TIG really reduce distortion?
Yes. Pulsing cuts total heat input 20-40% while peak current maintains penetration, markedly reducing angular and wave distortion on thin sheet.