XI.

Tables

TIG
Table 1
Types of Tungsten Electrodes

HANDBOOK
AWS Type of Color Available
Classification Tungsten (Alloy) Code Finish* Remarks
EWP Pure Green Cleaned Provides good arc stability for AC welding.
and ground Reasonably good resistance to contamination.
Lowest current carrying capacity. Least
expensive. Maintains a clean balled end.
EWCe-2 Ceria Orange Cleaned Similar performance to thoriated tungsten.
CeO2 and ground Easy arc starting, good arc stability,
1.8% to 2.2% long life. Possible nonradioactive

for GTAW • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

replacement for thoria.
EWLa-1 Lanthana Black Cleaned Similar performance to thoriated tungsten.
La2O3 and ground Easy arc starting, good arc stability,
0.9% to 1.2% long life, high current capacity. Possible
nonradioactive replacement for thoria.
EWLa-1.5 Lanthana Gold Cleaned Similar performance to thoriated tungsten.
La2O3 and ground Easy arc starting, good arc stability,
1.3% to 1.7% long life, high current capacity. Possible
nonradioactive replacement for thoria.
EWLa-2 Lanthana Blue Cleaned Similar performance to thoriated tungsten.
La2O3 and ground Easy arc starting, good arc stability,
1.8% to 2.2% long life, high current capacity. Possible
nonradioactive replacement for thoria.
EWTh-1 Thoria Yellow Cleaned Easier arc starting. Higher current capacity.
ThO2 and ground Greater arc stability. High resistance to
0.8% to 1.2% weld pool contamination. Difficult to maintain
balled end on AC.
EWTh-2 Thoria Red Cleaned Easier arc starting. Higher current capacity.
ThO2 and ground Greater arc stability. High resistance to
1.7% to 2.2% weld pool contamination. Difficult to maintain
balled end on AC.
EWZr-1 Zirconia Brown Cleaned Excellent for AC welding due to favorable
ZrO2 and ground retention of balled end, high resistance to
0.15% to 0.40% contamination, and good arc starting.
Preferred when tungsten contamination
of weld is intolerable.
EWG Specify Gray Contains other rare earths or a combination
of oxides.

*Clean finish designates electrodes that are chemically cleaned and etched. Ground finish designates electrodes
with a centerless ground finish to provide maximum smoothness and consistency.
Centerless ground tungsten electrodes are used where minimum resistance loss at the collet-electrode contact
point is desired.

73
 Table 2
Typical Current Ranges for Tungsten Electrodes*

Direct Current, Alternating Current,

DC AC

DCEN 70% Penetration (50/50) Balanced

Wave A

Gas Cup Ceriated Ceriated Ceriated

Tungsten Inside Thoriated Thoriated Thoriated
Diameter Diameter Lanthanated Pure Lanthanated Pure Lanthanated

.040 #5 (3/8 in) 15 – 80 20 – 60 15 – 80 10 – 30 20 – 60

.060 (1/16 in) #5 (3/8 in) 70 – 150 50 – 100 70 – 150 30 – 80 60 – 120

.093 (3/32 in) #8 (1/2 in) 150 – 250 100 – 160 140 – 235 0 – 130 100 – 180

.125 (1/8 in) #8 (1/2 in) 250 – 400 150 – 200 225 – 325 100 – 180 160 – 250

*All values are based on the use of Argon as a shielding gas. Other current values may be employed depending on the
shielding gas, type of equipment, and application.
DCEN = Direct Current Electrode Negative (Straight Polarity)

74
 Table 3

TIG
Recommended Types of Current, Tungsten Electrodes and
Shielding Gases for Welding Different Metals1
Types of Metal Thickness Type of Current Electrode2 Shielding Gas

HANDBOOK
Aluminum All AC Pure or zirconium Argon or argon-helium
All AC Advanced Lanthanated, cerium Argon or argon-helium
Squarewave thoriated
over 1/4" DCEN Lanthanated, cerium 100% Helium
thoriated
Copper, All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Helium
copper alloys thoriated
Magnesium alloys All AC Pure or zirconium Argon
All AC Advanced Lanthanated, cerium Argon

for GTAW • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Squarewave thoriated
Nickel, nickel alloys All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Argon, argon-helium,
thoriated argon-hydrogen
(5% max)
Plain carbon, All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Argon or argon-helium
low-alloy steels thoriated
Stainless steel All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Argon or argon-helium
thoriated
Titanium, zirconium, All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Argon
hafnium3 thoriated
Refractory Metals3 All DCEN Lanthanated, cerium Argon
thoriated

1
These recommendations are general guidelines based on methods commonly used in industry.
2
Where thoriated electrodes are recommended, lanthanated, ceriated or rare earth containing electrodes should
be used.
3
A glove box is often required to prevent atmospheric contamination.

75
 Table 4
AWS Specifications for Filler Metals, Shielding Gases and Electrodes
Suitable for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Specification Number Title
A 5.7 Copper and Copper Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.9 Stainless Steel Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.10 Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Welding Rods and Bare Electrodes
A 5.12 Tungsten and Tungsten Alloy Electrodes
A 5.13 Surfacing Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.14 Nickel and Nickel Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.16 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.18 Carbon Steel Filler Metals for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
A 5.19 Magnesium-Alloy Welding Rods and Bare Electrodes
A 5.21 Composite Surfacing Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.24 Zirconium and Zirconium Alloy Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
A 5.28 Low Alloy Steel Filler Metal for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
A 5.30 Consumable Inserts
A 5.32 Welding Shielding Gases

Table 5
Welding Position Designations
Plate Welds
Groove Welds
1G Flat position
2G Horizontal position
3G Vertical position
4G Overhead position
Fillet Welds
1F Flat position
2F Horizontal position
3F Vertical position
4F Overhead position
Pipe Welds
Groove Welds
1G Flat position, pipe axis horizontal and rotated
2G Horizontal position, pipe axis vertical
5G Multiple positions, (overhead, vertical and flat) pipe axis horizontal and is not rotated (fixed)
6G Multiple positions, (overhead, vertical and horizontal) pipe axis in inclined 45˚ from horizontal
and is not rotated (fixed)
6GR Multiple positions, (overhead, vertical and horizontal) pipe axis in inclined 45˚ from horizontal
and is not rotated (fixed), with restriction ring
Fillet Welds
1F Flat position, pipe axis is 45˚ from the horizontal and the pipe is rotated
2F Horizontal position, pipe axis is vertical
2FR Horizontal position, weld pipe axis is horizontal and the pipe is rotated
4F Overhead position, pipe axis is vertical
5F Multiple positions, (overhead, vertical and horizontal) pipe axis is horizontal and is not rotated
6F Multiple positions, (overhead, vertical and flat) pipe axis is 45˚ from horizontal and is not rotated

76
 Table 6

TIG
Welding Process Comparison Based on Quality and Economics

All Positions

HANDBOOK
Applications GTAW GMAW SMAW
Carbon steel plate (over 3/16") G E E
Carbon steel sheet (to 3/16") E E G
Carbon steel structural F F E
Carbon steel pipe — 3" IPS and under E F F
Carbon steel pipe — over 4" IPS G G G
Stainless steel plate (over 3/16") G E G

for GTAW • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Stainless steel sheet (to 3/16") E G F
Stainless steel pipe — 3" IPS and under E F F
Stainless steel pipe — over 4" IPS G G F
Aluminum plate (over 3/16") G E NR
Aluminum sheet (to 3/16") E G NR
Aluminum structural E G NR
Aluminum pipe — 3" IPS and under E NR NR
Aluminum pipe ” over 4" IPS E F NR
Nickel and nickel alloy sheet E F F
Nickel and nickel alloy tubing E NR NR
Nickel and nickel alloy pipe — 3" IPS and under E F NR
Nickel and nickel alloy pipe — over 4" IPS E F NR
Reflective metals, titanium — sheet, tubing, and pipe E NR NR
Refractory metals, TA and Cb — sheet, tubing E NR NR

GTAW — Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) E — Excellent

GMAW — Gas Metal Arc (MIG) G — Good
SMAW — Shielded Metal Arc (Stick) F — Fair
NR — Not recommended on basis of cost, usability, or quality.

Table 7
Cost Information
Approximate Average Gas and Relative
Weld Process Equipment Cost Power Cost Per Hour Labor Cost
GTAW $1,500 –10,000 7.00 Medium
GMAW $2,000 –10,000 8.00 Low
SMAW $500 – 2,000 1.50 Low/Medium

77
 Table 8
Guide for Shade Numbers
Minimum Suggested*
Electrode Size Arc Protective Shade No.
Operation 1/32 in. (mm) Current (A) Shade (Comfort)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding Less than 3 (2.5) Less than 60 7 —
3 – 5 (2.5 – 4) 60 – 160 8 10
5 – 8 (4 – 6.4) 160 – 250 10 12
More than 8 (6.4) 250 – 550 11 14
Gas Metal Arc Welding Less than 60 7 —
and Flux Cored Arc Welding 60 – 160 10 11
160 – 250 10 12
250 – 550 10 14
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Less than 50 8 10
50 – 150 8 12
150 – 500 10 14
Air Carbon (Light) Less than 500 10 12
Arc Cutting (Heavy) 500 – 1000 11 14
Plasma Arc Welding Less than 20 6 6 to 8
20 – 100 8 10
100 – 400 10 12
400 – 800 11 14
Plasma Arc Cutting (Light)** Less than 300 8 9
(Medium)** 300 – 400 9 12
(Heavy)** 400 – 800 10 14
Torch Brazing — — 3 or 4
Torch Soldering — — 2
Carbon Arc Welding — — 14
Plate thickness
Gas Welding
Light Under 1/8" Under 3.2 mm 4 or 5
Medium 1/8 to 1/2" 3.2 to 12.7 mm 5 or 6
Heavy Over 1/2" Over 12.7 mm 6 or 8
Oxygen Cutting
Light Under 1" Under 25 mm 3 or 4
Medium 1 to 6" 25 to 150 mm 4 or 5
Heavy Over 6" Over 150 mm 5 or 6

*As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a lighter shade which
gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where
the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in
the visible light of the (spectrum) operation.
**These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used
when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.

78
 Table 9

TIG
Conversion Table
U.S. Customary Units to International System of Units (SI) — Metric System
Property Convert From To Multiply By

HANDBOOK
Measurement Inches (in) Millimeters (mm) 25.4
Inches (in) Meters (m) 0.0254
Feet (ft) Millimeters (mm) 304.8
Feet (ft) Meters (m) 0.3048
Area in2 mm2 645.16
in2 m2 0.000645
ft2 m2 0.0929
Current Density Amperes/in2 Amperes/mm2 0.00155

for GTAW • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Deposition Rate Pounds (lb)/hour (h) Kilograms (kg)/hour (h) 0.0454
Flow Rate ft3/h Litre/minute 0.472
Pressure, Pounds /sq in Pascals (Pa) 6895.0
Tensile Strength (psi)
Travel Speed, in/min mm/s 0.423
Wire Feed Speed in/min cm/m 2.54
Weight, Mass lb Kg 0.454
Temperature Fahrenheit Celsius (C˚) tF – 32
(F˚), tF (centigrade) 1.8
Celsius (C˚) Fahrenheit tc x 1.8 + 32
(centigrade), tc (F˚)
Impact Strength ft lbs Joules 1.356

79
 Table 10
Control Symbols Found on GTAW Machines
Functional Area Control Wordage/Abbrev. Symbol
Power ON ON V

OFF OFF V

Polarity Electrode Positive Electrode Positive/DCEP

Electrode Negative Electrode Negative/DCEN
Alternating Current Alternating Current/AC
Process SMAW Stick
GTAW TIG
Start Mode Off Off
Lift Arc Lift Arc
HF Start Only HF Start HF

HF Continuous HF Cont. HF

Impulse Impulse
Output On On
Remote Remote
Trigger Two Step Maintained Standard/STD
Two Step Momentary 2T Trigger Hold/2T
Four Step Momentary 4T Trigger Hold/4T
Amperage Panel Current Panel/A PNL
Remote Current Remote/ARMT
Gas Preflow Time Preflow t1

Postflow Time Postflow t2

Gas Inlet Gas In

Gas Outlet Gas Out
AC Waveshaping Balance Phase Control Balance/BAL
AC Frequency Frequency/AC f
Maximum Cleaning Maximum Cleaning/MAX CLEAN
Maximum Penetration Maximum Penetration/MAX PEN
Electrode Positive Amperage Electrode Positive Amperage/EP AMPS
Electrode Negative Amperage Electrode Negative Amperage/EN AMPS
Arc Force Percentage Arc Force DIG
Sequencing Initial Amperage Initial Amperage/INITIAL A A

Initial Time Initial Time/INITIAL t t

Initial Slope Time Initial Slope t

Spot Time Spot Time/SPOT t

Weld Time Weld Time/WELD t None
Final Slope Final Slope
Final Amperage Final Amperage/FINAL A
Final Time Final Time/FINAL t
Pulsing Pulse Frequency Pulses Per Seconds/PPS
Percent Peak Time Peak Time/PK t
Percent Background Amperage Background Amperage/BKGND A
Pulser Pulser
Coolant Coolant Inlet Coolant In
Coolant Outlet Coolant Out

80