Steel Tig Welding; Copper Tig Welding - voestalpine Böhler TERRA 320 TLH Instrucciones De Uso

To improve the quality of the filling at the end of the welding
bead it is important to control carefully the down slope of the
current and it is necessary that the gas still flows in the welding
pool for some seconds after the arc is extinguished.
Under many operating conditions, it is useful to be able to use
two preset welding currents and to be able to switch easily from
one to the other (BILEVEL).
Welding polarity
D.C.S.P. (Direct Current Straight Polarity)
This is the most used polarity and ensures limited wear of the
electrode (1), since 70% of the heat is concentrated in the
anode (piece).
Narrow and deep weld pools are obtained, with high travel
speeds and low heat supply.
Most materials, except for aluminium (and its alloys) and mag-
nesium, are welded with this polarity.
D.C.R.P. (Direct Current Reverse Polarity)
The reverse polarity is used for welding alloys covered with a
layer of refractory oxide with higher melting temperature com-
pared with metals.
High currents cannot be used, since they would cause excessive
wear on the electrode.
D.C.S.P.-Pulsed (Direct Current Straight Polarity Pulsed)
The use of pulsed direct current allows better control, in particu-
lar operating conditions, of the welding pool width and depth.
The welding pool is formed by the peak pulses (Ip), while the
basic current (Ib) keeps the arc ignited.
This operating mode helps to weld thinner metal sheets with
less deformations, a better form factor and consequently a lower
danger of hot cracks and gas penetration.
Increasing the frequency (MF) the arc becomes narrower, more
concentrated, more stable and the quality of welding on thin
sheets is further increased.

7.2.1 Steel TIG welding

The TIG procedure is very effective for welding both carbon and
alloyed steel, for first runs on pipes and for welding where good
appearance is important.
Straight polarity is required (D.C.S.P .).
Preparing the edges
Careful cleaning and preparation of the edges are required.
Choosing and preparing the electrode
You are advised to use thorium tungsten electrodes (2%
thorium-red coloured) or alternatively cerium or lanthanum
electrodes with the following diameters:
Ø electrode (mm)
1.0
1.6
2.4
The electrode must be sharpened as shown in the figure.
(°)
30
60÷90
90÷120
Filler metal
The filler rods must have mechanical characteristics comparable
to those of the parent metal.
Do not use strips obtained from the parent metal, since they
may contain working impurities that can negatively affect the
quality of the welds.
Shielding gas
Tipically, pure argon (99.99%) is used.
Welding Ø Electrode
current (A) (mm)
6-70 1.0
60-140 1.6
120-240 2.4

7.2.2 Copper TIG welding

Since TIG welding is a process characterized by high heat con-
centration, it is particularly suitable for welding materials with
high thermal conductivity, like copper.
For TIG welding of copper, follow the same directions as for TIG
welding of steel or special instructions.
current range (A)
15÷75
60÷150
130÷240
current range (A)
0÷30
30÷120
120÷250
Gas nozzle Argon flow
n° Ø (mm) (l/min)
5-6
4/5 6/8.0
6-7
4/5/6 6.5/8.0/9.5
7-8
6/7 9.5/11.0
33