What Is Heli Arc Welding?

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Heliarc welding, also known as tungsten and gas shielded arc welding (TIG welding), is an arc welding process used for both fabrication and repairs of a variety of materials. It is a popular welding process with numerous applications due to its versatility and ability to produce high-quality welds with minimal distortion.

As of 2021, the global heli arc welding industry is valued at about 65 billion USD and is on the rise. This article will provide an overview of the process and explain its different features and applications so that you can determine if it is the right welding process for your next project.

What Is Heli Arc Welding?

Heli arc welding, sometimes referred to as “heli welding”, is a specialized form of electric arc welding.

It is sometimes also referred to as “gas tungsten arc welding”, or “GTAW”. The use of high-strength electric current and a shielded arc are both core elements of the process, as is the use of non-consumable electrodes.

The Benefits of Heli Arc Welding

Due to the exposure to intense heat and the ability to form any shape of weld with pinpoint accuracy, Heli arc welding can be incredibly useful in certain industries.

Here are the benefits of Heli arc welding:

Very High Strength

Heli arc welding produces a weld with a very high strength. This makes it well-suited for welding stainless steel and other hard metals, where a high strength weld is essential.

Minimal Distortion

Heli arc welding produces a low level of weld distortion (when compared to other welding processes) due to a lower heat input and a restricted weld puddle. This can be particularly beneficial for welding thin sheets of metal and other precision applications.

Accurate

The high accuracy achievable with Heli arc welding is one of the primary benefits of the process.

In most cases, the level of accuracy achievable is within 0. 1mm.

The Drawbacks of Heli Arc Welding

Despite the clear benefits of Heli arc welding, like all things there are drawbacks to consider.

Here are the drawbacks of Heli arc welding:

High Cost

Due to the specialist nature of the process, Heli arc welding is significantly more expensive than alternative welding processes. This is because of the additional cost of the equipment and materials required.

Specialised Skills

Heli arc welding requires a high level of skill. This means that finding staff with the necessary skills can be difficult and expensive.

Slower

When compared to other welding processes, Heli arc welding tends to work at a much slower rate. This often means that it isn’t the most cost-effective option for applications where speed is of the essence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Heli arc welding offers a number of advantages, but these do come with a number of drawbacks. Before selecting Heli arc welding as the appropriate process for a given job, it’s important to consider both the advantages and the drawbacks, and weigh up which best suits the particular application. Citations:https://www. weldinghandbook. org/what-is-heli-arc-welding/https://www. weldingsuppliesdirect. co. uk/blog/2014/11/17/gas-tungsten-arc-welding-gta-welding-or-tig-welding/https://www. nwetc. org/blog/heli-arc-welding-differences-similarities-tig-welding

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