If you ever wanted to learn about stainless steel welding, you are in the right place. Welding stainless steel has become a highly valued skill, as using the correct polarity plays a key role in the quality of the work.
In fact, according to the American Welding Society (AWS), nearly 4 million jobs in 2020 involved TIG welding stainless steel. To get the best results, it’s essential to know exactly what polarity is used for TIG welding stainless steel.
Polarity determines the amount of metal transferred and affects the weld size, strength, and stability. So if you want to know what polarity to use for TIG welding stainless steel, read on and find out!
What Polarity Is Used for TIG Welding Stainless Steel?
TIG welding, otherwise known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), is a popular welding method used for welding stainless steel components.TIG welding provides clean welds due to its precise control over heat and current levels. To perform a successful weld with TIG welding, it is important to understand the correct polarity needed when welding stainless steel.
Polarity For TIG Welding
When welding stainless steel, direct current (DC) with the electrode connected to the negative terminal of the power supply is used.Direct current in the reverse polarity, or electrode positive (EP), is also used but only for thinner base materials and when a more penetrating arc is desired. It is important to note that when welding stainless steel in reverse polarity, a higher risk of contamination exists due to the electrode melting more quickly.
Gas Shielded Welding
Gas shielded welding is an important part of successful TIG welding of stainless steel.In order to create a weld that does not contain any contamination, stainless steel must be welded in an atmosphere of argon or helium gas. Without this protective shielding, the weld will contain impurities from the air and other elements contained in the atmosphere.
Welding Equipment
When using TIG welding for stainless steel, it is important to select the right equipment to ensure a successful weld. TIG welding requires a welding power source, TIG torch, filler rod and shielding gas. The welding power source must be capable of providing both direct current electrode negative (DCEN) and direct current electrode positive (DCEP) polarity to the electrode.The amperage levels necessary will vary based on the thickness of the material being welded.
Conclusion
TIG welding is a popular welding method used for stainless steel components due to its precise control over heat and current levels.Gas shielded welding with argon or helium is an important step to ensure a clean, uncontaminated weld. In order to weld stainless steel with TIG welding, it is important to use direct current electrode negative (DCEN) polarity which will help to ensure a clean weld with minimal contamination. Citation URLs:- https://www. weldingsupply. com/TIG-Welding. html- https://www. millerwelds. com/resources/article-library/what-to-consider-when-choosing-tig-welding-polarity- https://www. wcwelding. com/tig-welding-settings-for-stainless-steel. html