Argon welding - what is it?

Argon welding of non-ferrous and ferrous metals

Argon welding is an integral technological process in many production and repair enterprises. In the environment of this gas, non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminum, duralumin and cast iron are welded; steel and other ferrous metals are also successfully welded.

Under normal conditions, without gas supply, many pores are formed, the metal oxidizes, making the connection fragile and short-lived. Argon protects the welding zone from the penetration of contaminated air into it, eliminating the formation of defects.

Features of argon welding

The peculiarities of argon welding include the fact that any metals, not only non-ferrous ones, can be welded in a gas environment. Ordinary steel is not critical to oxidation, but in an inert gas environment the weld is of better quality.

Basically the process is identical as in the case of a conventional arc or semi-automatic with wire feed. The difference is technology. To obtain an ideal result, apply the melt intermittently, grabbing a centimeter at a time. This makes the molten metal flow better.

Argon-arc welding, depending on the method and speed of the process of joining two parts made of non-ferrous metals, is divided into 2 types:

Both types are made with consumable or non-consumable electrodes. In the second case, filler wire or rod is also used, depending on the thickness of the parts being welded.

At modern enterprises, automatic argon-arc welding is actively used, because it allows you to obtain high-quality seams in a fairly short time with a thickness of no more than 1 cm and strictly in accordance with GOST.

A wire made of a similar alloy is used as an electrode, which is automatically fed to the welding site. At the same time, argon is supplied, which protects the welding site from oxidation and the formation of shells.

This method is convenient because you do not have to change the electrode every time.

Argon-arc welding is also performed using special consumable electrodes. They are made from tungsten. When choosing them, you need to pay attention to the percentage of additional components, since there are no universal ones. There are different types of them on sale depending on the type of materials being welded.

Argon-arc welding with non-consumable electrodes is also used, as shown in the photo. They are made of tungsten, a metal that has a high melting point, so it does not melt in the spark zone. It is used to heat the filler material supplied to the joint.

The table below shows the main types of such electrodes designed to work with various metals.

Designation Composition Materials to be welded

WP (green)	99.5% tungsten	Aluminum, magnesium
WY (dark blue)	Ytriated, up to 2.2% oxide additive	Niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, titanium, nickel, copper, bronze
WL-20, WL-50 (blue, green)	Added lanthanum oxide	High alloy steels, copper, aluminum, bronze
WZ-8 (white)	Contains zirconium oxide	Aluminum, bronze, magnesium, nickel
WT-20 (red)	Contains thorium oxide	Stainless steels, molybdenum, tantalum, copper, silicon bronze, nickel, titanium

Argon welding technique

The principle of welding non-ferrous metals using the argon-arc method is based on the creation of an electrical discharge between a consumable or non-consumable electrode and the surface to be welded. The electrode is placed in a ceramic nozzle, into which argon is also supplied. All this is in the holder.

If a non-consumable electrode is used, then filler wire is fed into the melting zone or bath at the same time. The inert gas, being lighter than oxygen, displaces it, which eliminates nitriding and other undesirable processes. Nothing is applied to the filler material, so it is potentially safe. Once in the welding zone, it melts together with the parts being joined, forming a single homogeneous connecting seam.

In order for argon-arc welding to be of high quality, and for the joint of parts to be strong and uniform, it is necessary to follow the technology for performing the work. You should also apply the correct voltage to the electrode. High-frequency and high-voltage pulses are applied to it, due to which the gap between it and the part is successfully ionized, due to which an arc is formed.

Many are sure that it is formed upon contact, but this is not true. It is thanks to the preliminary ionization of the gas in space that such a high purity of the weld and its uniformity are achieved. These pulses are generated at the electrode by a special device called an oscillator. It is connected to the DC power supply circuit from the welding transformer.

The peculiarity of the oscillator is that it makes it possible to qualitatively weld parts using alternating current. This is achieved due to its work as a stabilizer in moments of negative polarity. This process ensures reliable and stable arc burning.

The argon arc welding technique is as follows:

1. The master prepares the parts to be joined. Removes edges from one or both sides, or leaves a gap between them, cleans the surface of oxide and dirt with a wire brush.
2. After preparing the parts, the worker turns on the argon-arc welding machine and brings the torch to the part without touching it with the electrode.
3. Next, you need to turn on the gas supply from the cylinder and pulses to the electrode to form an arc.
4. As the spark burns, the worker supplies filler material.

Welding using this method should be done spotwise so that the so-called pool has time to form. When welding vertical seams, it is necessary to move from bottom to top. The detailed process of welding parts can be viewed in the video.

Argon welding modes

To obtain a high-quality welded joint of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, it is necessary to correctly select argon-arc welding modes. This is done based on experience and can also be found in reference tables. Accordingly, the equipment must be able to change the current to suit specific needs.

Selecting current and polarity

To weld non-ferrous metals in an argon environment, a current of constant or alternating polarity is used. In no case should you work with its inverse value, because in the process difficulties will arise associated with poor arc burning and excessively high voltage.

Charged particles move towards a positive potential, so the electrode will heat up more and burn out faster.

Current selection

The choice of current value for welding is based on three main factors: the type of current, the diameter of the electrode and the thickness of the parts being welded. In order not to keep all these numbers in your head, let's make a table. It describes all the values ​​depending on certain criteria.

Electrode diameter (mm) Alternating current (A) Direct current (A)

1 – 2	20 – 100	65 – 160
3	100 – 160	140 – 180
4	140 – 220	250 – 340
5	200 – 280	300 – 400
6	250 – 300	350 – 450

Voltage

For high-quality welding of parts of various thicknesses when using argon-arc welding, it is recommended to set the voltage to no more than 14 V. With this value, an arc length of about 1.5-3 mm is ensured, which is the optimal value. It also ensures good penetration depth, which is the main criterion for the strength of the connection between parts.

Welding speed

It is purely individual, so it is chosen by the master on the spot. The main thing is not to rush, because welding non-ferrous metals is very capricious.

Argon quantity

Also, along with the choice of electrode diameter, the flow rate of the supplied shielding gas is also calculated. This is done based on the type of metal from which the parts being welded are made, the thickness and width of the seam. This is determined in practice.

Distance from electrode to part

It depends on the thickness of the metal being welded and the method of joining it. For example, for a butt connection, 3-5 mm is enough. If parts are welded at an angle, then the recommended distance should be at least 0.5 cm and no more than 8 mm.

Advantages and disadvantages

Argon-arc welding has both features and disadvantages. Of course, there are more positive aspects to it, and they are as follows:

• You can weld not only copper and aluminum, but also steel.
• The seam is neat from an aesthetic point of view, subject to the technique of feeding the rod and applying the arc.
• Argon-arc welding of non-ferrous and ferrous metals can be done at home with your own hands if you have the necessary equipment and consumables.
• The connection is strong throughout the entire depth of the joint if the parts have been well prepared in advance. The chamfer was removed at an angle of 45 degrees, a gap was provided and the oxide film was removed from the surface.
• In this way, you can weld thin parts without penetration and other undesirable defects.
• When automating the welding process, it is performed not only efficiently, but also quickly.

The disadvantages include:

Complexity of the process. Without the right equipment, you will not be able to perform high-quality welding. In addition, it is necessary to have some experience in order to correctly feed the bar and control the arc. Therefore, a beginner in this matter will have to learn a lot.

Also, the price of professional equipment will be quite high, but you can assemble the components separately, which will be somewhat cheaper.

Types of welding equipment

Argon arc welding is a special method of joining parts made of different metals, which allows us to obtain a high quality weld, its attractive appearance and strength. Therefore, special equipment is required to perform such welding work. There are several varieties of it on sale, depending on the level of mechanization:

• For manual. There are a lot of machines on sale for welding with consumable and non-consumable electrodes.
• For mechanized welding, wire welding in an argon-arc environment is mainly used.
• For automated processing, devices with automatic supply of filler material are used and installed in production facilities.
• For robotic welding, special devices are used that not only feed the wire and control the arc burning process, but also control the welding.

The cost of the equipment will depend on the intended purpose and scope of use.

The equipment for manual welding includes:

Source: https://svarkaspec.ru/svarka/vidy-svarki/svarka-argonom.html

Advantages and disadvantages of argon welding, features of the method, necessary equipment

If it is necessary to form a permanent connection of parts made of stainless steel, titanium, steel, copper, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals and alloys based on them, they often resort to argon welding, which is a rather difficult specific process.

Argon welding combines the features of gas and electric arc welding.

The technological process is united with the latter by the fact that an electric arc must be used, while with gas welding it is common in the use of gas and a number of technological methods for forming a permanent connection.

Melting of the edges of the elements being connected and the filler material, with the help of which the weld is formed, is ensured due to the high temperature created when the electric arc burns. Argon performs protective functions.

Welding of most non-ferrous metals and alloys based on them, as well as alloy steels, has the peculiarities that in the molten state, when interacting with oxygen and other elements in the surrounding air, active oxidation of these metals occurs.

This circumstance negatively affects the quality of the formed weld, which ultimately turns out to be fragile, with pores in the structure - air bubbles, which significantly weaken the connection. The aluminum molten during welding is even worse affected by the surrounding air.

Under the influence of oxygen from the surrounding space, the metal begins to burn.

The optimal way to protect the area of ​​the joint being formed when welding non-ferrous metals and alloy steels is to use argon. The characteristics of this gas explain the high efficiency of this gas:

• Argon is 38% heavier than air.
• The gas easily displaces air from the welding zone, creating reliable protection.
• Inert gas practically does not react with molten metal and other gases in the combustion zone of the welding arc.
• When welding with argon at reverse polarity, it must be taken into account that electrons are easily separated from gas atoms, the flow of which transforms the gaseous medium into a conductive plasma.

Welding in an argon environment is carried out using both consumable and non-consumable electrodes. The diameter of tungsten rods is selected from reference books, in accordance with the characteristics of the parts being connected.

Types:

• Manual. It is performed with a non-consumable tungsten electrode (RAD).
• Automatic in argon with non-consumable electrodes (AMA).
• Automatic in argon with consumable electrodes (AADP).

According to the international classification, a machine for argon arc welding or welding using a tungsten electrode in inert gases is designated TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas).

Key Features

The working part of the welding machine is the torch. A tungsten electrode with a projection of 2–5 mm is inserted into its central part. Inside the torch, the electrode is fixed with a special holder into which a tungsten rod can be inserted. To supply protective gas, the burner is equipped with a ceramic nozzle. The weld is formed using filler wire, the composition of which must correspond to the composition of the metal being welded.

The main stages of welding using a tungsten electrode:

• The surfaces of the parts to be joined are thoroughly cleaned of dirt, traces of fat and oil, and oxide film. Cleaning is mandatory and can be done mechanically or using chemicals.
• A “ground” is connected to the parts to be connected, which is done directly (in the case of large dimensions) and through the metal surface of the work table. The filler wire is fed separately and is not included in the welding electrical circuit.
• The current strength is set on the device. This parameter is selected depending on the characteristics of the parts being connected.
• After turning on the current, the torch with the electrode is brought to the parts to be welded as close as possible and without contact with the surfaces. The optimal distance between the torch and the workpieces to be joined (must be maintained during welding) is 2 mm. Holding the electrode at this distance will allow the parts to be joined to melt well and obtain a neat seam.
• The supply of protective gas is turned on in advance - 15-20 seconds. before starting welding. The argon supply is turned off after 5-10 seconds. after finishing welding.
• The torch and filler wire are guided slowly only along the seam being formed, without transverse vibrations. The filler wire, located in front of the torch, is smoothly introduced into the arc zone. Due to sudden movements, the molten metal splashes heavily.
• During the welding process, the electric arc is ignited, and the electrode should not touch the surfaces being connected. This rule must be observed, since the ionization potential of argon is extremely high, which makes it difficult to effectively use the spark from touching the electrode to lower it. When the consumable electrode touches the parts being connected, metal vapors appear, the ionization potential of which is much lower compared to argon, which simplifies the arc ignition process. If the tungsten electrode touches the surface of the parts to be joined, the arc becomes dirty and welding becomes difficult.

To ignite the arc, an oscillator is used, which converts the current coming from the electrical network with ordinary parameters into high-frequency pulses with a voltage of 2000-6000 V and a current frequency of 150-500 Hz. Such pulses make it possible to ignite an electric arc without contact between the parts being connected and the electrode.

Argon welding requires special equipment:

• An inverter or an ordinary welding transformer, the power of which should be sufficient for welding (in particular, a transformer with an idle power of 60-70 V can be used).
• Power contactor through which voltage is supplied to the burner.
• Oscillator.
• A special regulator responsible for the time of blowing argon onto the welding zone (gas must be supplied a few seconds before the process, and its supply stops a few seconds after the end of welding).
• Torch with ceramic nozzle and clamp for fixing the tungsten electrode.
• A gas cylinder and a reducer that regulates the level of argon pressure that is supplied to the welding zone.
• Tungsten filler rods and electrodes.
• A rectifier that produces a constant 24 V electric current supplied to switching devices.
• An additional transformer, which is responsible for supplying voltage to switching devices.
• A relay responsible for turning on/off an oscillator, contactor, electric gas valve that requires a voltage of 24 or 220 V.
• Inductive-capacitive filter, which protects the device from the negative effects of high-voltage pulses.
• Ammeter for measuring current.
• A car battery (possibly faulty) with a capacity of 55-75 Ah, necessary to reduce the direct component of the welding current, which necessarily occurs when welding using alternating current (the battery is connected in series to the welding circuit).
• Welding glasses.

The brand of the finished welding machine must contain the abbreviation TIG. It can be used after additional equipment with a burner, a gas cylinder, and elements that control the supply of protective gas.

Mode selection

Important parameters are the polarity and direction of the electric current. Their choice is influenced by the properties of the materials to be welded. Alternating current or reverse polarity is selected when it is necessary to weld parts made of aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, and other non-ferrous metals. The choice is explained by the fact that using such an electric current effectively destroys the oxide film that is always present on the surface of these materials.

Welding of aluminum is typical, the oxide film of which on the surface has a high melting point.

When welding aluminum parts at a current of reverse polarity, the oxide film is effectively destroyed due to the active bombardment of the surface of the parts being joined with argon ions .

Conductive plasma , into which argon is converted, simplifies welding and improves its quality. When performing a process using alternating current, the parts being joined are the cathode to achieve the effect.

An oscillator is often used for gas shielded welding. When using alternating current, this device facilitates the ignition of the welding arc, and when it lights up, it plays the role of a stabilizer. When the polarity of the alternating current is reversed, deionization (quenching) of the arc is possible. To avoid this, the oscillator, when changing the polarity of the electric current, generates electrical impulses, feeding them into the welding arc.

The choice of current is influenced by:

• Properties of the processed material.
• Geometric dimensions of blanks.
• Dimensions of electrodes used.

To select a parameter, it is recommended to refer to specialized literature.

An important parameter is the argon flow rate, which is selected depending on the feed rate of the filler material and the speed of the carrying air flows. The minimum value of the parameter will be if welding is carried out in a room where there are no drafts. If work is carried out in the open air and with strong gusty side winds, it is necessary to increase the gas flow and use confuser nozzles to supply it to the welding zone, from which gas flows through fine mesh.

In addition to argon, a little oxygen (3−5%) is often added to the protective mixture. In this case, oxygen reacts with harmful impurities (moisture, dirt, etc.) on the surface of the parts being connected. As a result, the impurities burn or transform into slag, which floats to the surface of the weld.

Oxygen is not used to weld copper because it produces copper oxide. This compound, reacting with hydrogen from the surrounding air, forms water vapor, which tends to escape from the weld metal. Because of this, many pores form in the weld, which negatively affects its quality.

Advantages:

• Possibility of obtaining a reliable connection due to effective protection of the work area.
• Insignificant heating of the welded parts, which allows the technology to be used for welding workpieces with complex configurations (they are not deformed).
• Can be used for materials that cannot otherwise be welded.
• A significant increase in work speed due to the high-temperature electric arc.

Flaws:

• Complex equipment.
• The need for special knowledge and experience.

The method will ensure the quality and reliability of welded joints and uniform penetration of the connected parts. With this technology, parts made of non-ferrous metals of small thickness can be welded without filler wire.

Source: https://tokar.guru/svarka/osobennosti-metoda-argonovoy-svarki-ego-plyusy-i-minusy.html

Argon welding: the essence of the method, advantages and disadvantages, equipment and materials

You may have heard about the peculiarities of cooking certain types of metal, for example, aluminum, copper and other non-ferrous metals.

Using classic electric welding using an electric current conductor, you will not be able to achieve a strong connection.

This is influenced by the characteristics of the material. Then experienced specialists resort to another method of work and use argon arc welding.

What does argon connection mean and how does it work? What positive or negative qualities are present in argon welding and the specifics of welding metal with argon? Let's discuss this point in detail.

Basics

What is included in argon arc melting? What are the specifics of this method? It can be applied to all types of welding, but the only difference is that it is necessary to work in the field of argon.

The argon sphere is a gas flow that comes in when the elements are welded by the inverter. The following is a drawing of a device operating in an argon environment.

This gas, like others, acts as a protection during welding: it prevents the metal from oxidizing, increases the efficiency of seam production and reduces time consumption.

The cooking gas directed to the area creates a kind of “lid” that prevents the flow of oxygen, which worsens the performance of the seam.

Welding in an argon environment allows you to weld metals like titanium. For soldering, electric current conductors with or without the possibility of melting, as well as tungsten wires, are used.

Tungsten wire is mainly used in welding various metals. You can cook either manually or using automation.

Manual argon welding is one of the popular and frequently used types of argon welding. When choosing welding in argon, it is better to use a current conductor that is not capable of melting.

There is automatic welding in an argon environment, which uses a current conductor that can and cannot melt.

It is impossible to say for sure which welding is better - manual or automatic. In the end, each master individually selects the most convenient method for himself when performing tasks with such a device.

Device

To work in an argon environment, various welding devices are used.

The choice may fall on a manual control method, in which case the specialist himself holds the torch and supplies a metal wire to the welding area, or an improved portable method, when a metal wire is fed into the device.

There are also devices powered by electronics and cooked under the influence of argon. The torch and metal wire are supplied to the welding area automatically; sometimes the master does not need to control what is happening; a master is provided for this.

In mass production, robotic devices are used that independently control the process. They are directly programmed to perform argon welding tasks.

Let's get to work. We will explain the use of a welding machine when working in an argon environment, so that the result will satisfy you and serve you for many years.

What techniques to use for working in an argon environment

What do you need to know to get started? It is important to know the theory and develop practical skills. We will explain the theoretical part, but you need to practice it yourself.

With more practice, you will soon be able to take on more complex tasks. First, we will analyze the methods of cooking in an argon environment and what you need to know in order to make as few errors as possible.

First, you need to thoroughly clean and degrease the edges of the parts that you will weld. Even if at first glance everything is clean and free of rust, you still need to clean everything.

During operation, do not make the welding arc long. The reason for this is that the welding arc creates a thick surface seam. This cannot be considered good quality.

This is the reason that with an electric conductor that does not melt, it is better to use a shorter arc when bringing the rod to the product. This may not be enough for a narrow and deep seam.

Move the current conductor longitudinally, without tilting away from the part, without making transverse movements. This is why the master must hold his hand firmly when working in an argon environment, because this is what gives high-quality contact when welding with argon.

The metal wire for soldering and the electrical conductor must be placed in the argon welding area. If you do not hold the rod or metal wire accurately, the quality of the gas may be affected and oxygen will enter the welding area.

The metal wire must be applied with progressive movements and slowly, avoiding sudden application. Otherwise, metal particles will begin to splash, which will worsen the final result.

Selected recommendations

Many welders (especially beginners) do not initially know how quickly to apply metal wire. Unfortunately, there is no standard under which this problem will be solved.

These skills are developed through practice, so try and find the techniques that suit you. The metal wire for the additive must be applied at an angle to the rod.

These rules must be strictly followed. In the absence of such actions, it may turn out that the joint turns out to be crooked and it will become more difficult to correct it.

At the same time, it is undesirable to quickly start work and stop it, this will lead to excess air entering the welding area. We recommend directing gas into the work area for half a minute and only then starting to work.

If you need to stop the process, then remove the metal wire and then turn off the burner. All these steps will take approximately 9 seconds.

Also, towards the end of execution, reduce the supplied current. If you don't do this and just pick up the metal wire and the torch, oxygen will have access to the welding area.

From this it is clear that cooking in argon must be patient and have at least a little skill. Use penetration indicators to evaluate your work. Look at your seam: it should not have any bulges or roundness.

If they are, it means you didn’t melt it well. This is a simple method to determine the quality of the seam made and how durable it is.

This method, of course, does not equate to quality control carried out by the device, but you can immediately see where errors were made in the work.

Setting up the welding system

After we have explained how argon welding works, let's look at the argon arc welding system itself and what mode it should be set to.

To properly set up the device, you need practice and decent knowledge of theory. We have several recommendations regarding the correct setup of the cooking device and, perhaps, they will help you learn faster.

The welding mode is, in principle, the selection of the polarity and direction of the current. The welding mode is selected according to certain properties of the metal used for welding.

If it is necessary to weld metal structures, then set direct polarity and non-alternating current. For welding aluminum and its alloys, choose non-alternating current and reverse polarity.

It is important to set the voltage. It is set based on the thickness of the material, the width of the current conductor and the selected polarity. They are all connected.

Many welders already know from experience what current strength should be selected for a certain type of work. We recommend using special tables at first, one of them is given below.

We have already mentioned that a good quality seam can be made using a short arc. The arc current strength will also be short for a long time. Also, do not forget about the amount of gas when working.

It is important to monitor this indicator while working in production. To reduce consumption, it is advisable to make an irrotational gas supply. Irrotational is the uniform movement of gas, not pulsating or mixing.

Positive and negative sides

Positive:

• There is no need to heat the connection too much so that the parts do not change shape due to heat.
• Argon is an inactive welding gas, so air is lighter than it. This prevents oxygen from penetrating into the soldering area.
• The arc is resistant to elevated temperatures, so experienced specialists perform this work quickly and accurately.
• Tig welding is not that difficult, so it is easy to learn how to do.
• Suitable for welding metal elements that are not suitable for other types of soldering.

Negative:

• It is not advisable to cook outdoors, especially in windy weather. Gas particles are sprayed, this leads to the fact that the welding seam is not very smooth and clear. It is better to cook in a closed space with good ventilation.
• Inexperienced craftsmen will initially find it difficult to set the necessary device settings and conduct an arc.
• When using a high amperage welding arc, it is advisable to first consider what methods will be used to cool the weld.

Conclusion

We told you what argon arc welding is and its application in practice.

Argon arc welding has such a property that it can be used to solder structures that cannot be joined under other conditions.

This may be needed not only in large-scale production, but also at home.

It is important to remember: theory is not enough for quality work; you need to practice a lot. You need to train more before starting to cook serious structures.

Share your experience of argon cooking in reviews and tell us about what you learned from us on social networks. Good luck in your work.

Source: https://prosvarku.info/tehnika-svarki/svarka-argonom

Advantages and features of argon welding

You are probably familiar with the problem of high-quality welding of special types of metal, such as aluminum, copper or non-ferrous metals. With standard electric welding using electrodes, you will not be able to weld a reliable seam, this is due to the characteristics of the metal and its properties. In such cases, experienced craftsmen are looking for another welding method, and welding in an argon environment comes to their rescue.

What is argon welding and what is the principle of operation? What are the pros and cons of this welding method and how to properly weld metal with argon? In this article we will answer all your questions.

general information

Argon-arc welding - what is it? How does argon welding work? This is essentially the same welding as all the others, the only difference is that the process takes place in an argon environment. Argon is a gas stream that is directed into the welding zone during welding.

Below you can see a diagram of welding using argon. Argon, like any other gas, performs a protective function during welding: it prevents metal oxidation, improves the quality of the weld and speeds up work.

Argon for welding, directed into the welding zone, forms a kind of “Dome”, preventing oxygen from negatively affecting the quality of the seam.

Various special metals, such as titanium, can be welded using argon welding. In this work, you can use consumable and non-consumable electrodes and tungsten wire. Tungsten wire is often used when welding dissimilar metals. Welding is carried out both manually and automatically.

Manual argon welding (RAD welding) is the most common and inexpensive type of argon welding. If RAD welding is selected, it is advisable to use a non-consumable electrode.

There is automatic argon welding using a consumable and non-consumable electrode (labeled AADP and AAD, respectively). We will not claim that manual welding is better than automatic welding or vice versa.

Ultimately, each welder decides for himself which method is preferable for him when performing certain jobs.

Equipment

Several types of welding equipment are used for argon welding. This can be a manual method, when the master holds the torch with his own hands and feeds the wire into the welding zone, or an improved manual method, when the wire is fed using a special device.

There is also equipment with which automatic argon arc welding is carried out. The torch and wire are fed into the welding zone automatically; sometimes the welder does not even need to monitor this process; he can be replaced by a special operator. Expensive industries can use robotic equipment that does not require human presence. A program is pre-loaded into the machine, according to which the robot performs welding.

Now let's get down to business. We will tell you how to weld with argon welding so that the work turns out to be of high quality and durable.

How to cook in argon

What is needed for proper welding? Of course, a little theory and a lot of practice. We will tell you the theory, but you will have to do the practice yourself. The more you practice, the faster you can start doing serious work. In the meantime, let's find out what the technology of argon arc welding is and what needs to be taken into account so as not to make mistakes.

First of all, you need to thoroughly clean and degrease the joints of the parts to be welded. Even if there is visually no dirt or corrosion, you still need to clean the metal surface. While working, try to shorten the length of the welding arc. The fact is that a long arc forms a wide, shallow seam. The quality of this connection leaves much to be desired.

Therefore, when working with a non-consumable electrode, try to make the arc as short as possible, bringing the rod closer to the metal surface. But this may not be enough to make the seam narrow and deep. Move the electrode longitudinally without deviating to the side or performing transverse movements. It is for this reason that the welder must have a “steady hand” when welding with argon, otherwise the slightest deviation can lead to deterioration in the quality of the welded joint.

The filler wire and electrode should only be placed in the welding area. If you constantly move the rod or wire to the side, you will break the protective properties of argon and oxygen will penetrate into the weld pool. The wire should be fed smoothly and evenly, avoiding sudden feeding. Otherwise, the metal will spatter heavily and deteriorate the quality of the weld.

At first, many craftsmen (especially beginners) find it difficult to understand at what speed to feed the wire. Unfortunately, there is no single norm that will solve this problem. Everything is learned with experience, so experiment. The additive wire must be fed at an angle and in front of the rod. These requirements are mandatory. Failure to comply with them leads to the formation of an uneven seam and complicates the welding process.

It is also not recommended to abruptly start or end the welding process, since unnecessary oxygen is guaranteed to enter the welding zone. We recommend feeding argon welding gas into the welding zone for 20 seconds before starting work.

If you plan to finish welding, first remove the wire, then turn off the torch. This process should take about 10 seconds. Also, when finishing welding, reduce the amperage.

If you don't do this and simply remove the wire and torch, oxygen will enter the welding area.

As you can see, argon welding requires a lot of patience and at least minimal experience. You can evaluate your work using the penetration indicator. Inspect the seam you made: it should not have a round, convex shape.

If the seam looks like this, it means that it is not fused. In this simple way you can check the quality of the seam and evaluate its strength characteristics.

Of course, this method cannot replace full-fledged quality control using instruments, but you will be able to see the shortcomings of your work at the initial stage.

Welding mode setting

Now that we have figured out how argon welding works, let’s take a closer look at choosing a mode. The quality of the welded joint also greatly depends on this. To choose the right mode, you need to practice a lot and carefully study the theory. We've put together some tips for choosing the right welding mode that we hope will help speed up your learning curve.

So, the welding mode is essentially a choice of the polarity and direction of the current. The choice of welding mode depends on the individual characteristics of the metal (or metals) to be welded. If you need to weld steel structures, set the polarity to straight and constant current. If you need to weld aluminum and its alloys, use direct current and reverse polarity.

It is also important to set the current correctly. This parameter is adjusted based on the thickness of the metal, the diameter of the electrode and the polarity you set. All these parameters are interconnected. Many craftsmen learn through practice what current value needs to be set to perform specific tasks. But we recommend that you first use special tables, one of which you can see below.

We said earlier that a high-quality seam is obtained if the arc is short. The same applies to arc voltage. By the way, do not forget about gas consumption in an argon environment. If you work in production, then you will need to monitor this indicator. To reduce consumption, it is better to create a laminar gas flow. Laminar flow is when gas moves uniformly and does not mix or pulsate.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• There is no need to heat the joints very much, so the parts are not deformed under the influence of high temperatures.
• Argon gas for welding is called inert, which means that it is heavier than air, so if the technology is followed, oxygen will not penetrate into the welding zone.
• Arcs have high thermal power, so with proper experience, work can be done quickly and efficiently.
• Despite the many nuances, the welding process is not as complicated as it seems, and it can be learned quickly.
• You can weld metals that cannot be joined with other types of welding.

Minuses:

• It is not recommended to weld outdoors if there is a strong wind outside. Some of the gas evaporates, causing the weld to become of poorer quality. Carry out welding in a closed workshop or garage with forced ventilation.
• At first, it is difficult for beginners to correctly set up the equipment and conduct an arc.
• If you plan to use a high-ampere welding arc, then you need to think in advance about how you will cool the seam.

Instead of a conclusion

Now you know what argon welding is and how to introduce it into your work practice. Argon arc welding has a very important advantage - it allows you to connect parts that are simply impossible to connect under other conditions.

And such a need may arise not only in large-scale production, but also at home or in the country (for example, when welding pipes). But remember: theory without practice does not work. Try to practice your skills on test samples as much as possible before moving on to more serious tasks.

Tell us about your experience with argon welding in the comments and share this material on social networks. Good luck!

Source: https://svarkaed.ru/svarka/vidy-i-sposoby-svarki/gazovaya-i-gazozashhitnaya-svarka/osobennosti_svarki_argonom.html

What is argon welding, how is it performed and why?

Everyone is aware of the problems that arise when trying to weld metals such as copper, aluminum and some other non-ferrous metals. Standard manual arc welding with electrodes will not give a high-quality result. This is due primarily to the physicochemical properties of materials.

Experienced craftsmen know very well that there is simply no alternative to welding in a protective argon environment. You should become more familiar with the technology, since it is advisable to begin to become familiar with the welding process by studying key theoretical issues. It is the identification of positive and negative qualities that will give a more complete picture and will play a decisive role when choosing a welding mode.

• Basic information
• Equipment
• Technology
• Advantages and disadvantages

Basic information

Before considering the features of gas shielded welding, it is necessary to understand the principles of work. Argon welding has no fundamental difference from MMA welding. Often it is even called argon-arc. The metal is welded by partially melting and mixing a liquid substance with a molten additive. But in this case, this entire process is carried out in a gas cap consisting of argon. Why is argon chosen as a shielding gas?

1. Firstly, it is an inert gas, which means that it does not enter into chemical reactions.
2. Secondly, argon is heavier than air, so it settles in the weld formation zone.

The argon medium is obtained from a gas stream directed into the welding zone from a torch. The protective function of the gas is that it displaces atmospheric oxygen from the zone, preventing the formation of metal oxide. As a result, there is an improvement in the quality of the seam and an increase in the welding rate. If there were no protective gas, the resulting oxygen would lead to the appearance of pores and cracks in the weld area.

The scope of argon welding is very wide. You can weld products made of titanium; this metal is known for its inability to process.

Consumable electrodes, as well as non-consumable electrodes consisting of tungsten, can be used as consumables. Most often, tungsten wire is used to weld dissimilar metals.

Argon welding can be carried out manually, semi-automatically or automatically. The fundamental difference between the modes lies in the method of feeding the filler wire.

It is customary to divide argon-arc welding into three types, depending on the type of electrodes and the feeding method.

1. Manual welding is performed with a tungsten non-consumable electrode. This material was not chosen by chance, since tungsten has the highest melting point. This mode is usually denoted by the abbreviation RAD.
2. Automatic welding with a tungsten electrode is designated as AMA.
3. Consumable electrode welding is known as AAWP.

Now we are not talking about the advantage of one of the modes. Each master is inclined to choose one mode or another, based on technical conditions or his own preferences. According to the international classification, argon-arc welding is designated by the abbreviation TIG (from Tungsten Inert Gas). Even welding equipment is marked with this marking, which indicates that the inverter operates with argon.

Technology

Definitely, from just one article it is almost impossible to learn how to cook with argon efficiently. However, you should start your knowledge with theoretical foundations. Skills will be developed and acquired only through practice. If you have a good mentor, then the training will go quickly, but most craftsmen were forced to start learning the welding process alone. You can start by becoming familiar with the most common mistakes made.

At the preliminary stage of preparation, attention should be paid to the edges of the parts to be welded; they must be cleaned and degreased. This procedure is considered mandatory, even if the surfaces are visually ready for welding.

In the process of forming the seam, you must try to shorten the arc. A long arc can produce shallow and wide seams. The strength of such a weld is low, since there is no complete penetration of the metal. This rule especially applies to working with a tungsten electrode. The arc should be shortened by bringing the rod closer to the welding zone.

However, this is not a sufficient condition for the formation of a deep seam. It is important to maintain a constant direction of movement of the electrode; it must move longitudinally. Transverse vibrations are not allowed. The welder should “get his hands on it.” This means that his movements must be clear and precise. The slightest deviation from the specified trajectory will lead to deterioration of the suture joint.

Another requirement is related to the location of the burner. It must not be removed from the seam formation zone. Otherwise, the argon dome will move along with the burner. This means that oxygen will definitely enter the weld pool and pores or cracks will form in the metal. The wire feed must be carried out at a constant speed. If you need to change the speed, you need to do it smoothly, without sudden jolts. A sudden change in speed will result in metal splashing.

If we start talking about speed, then the question will be the most relevant. Even with all the theoretical knowledge, novice craftsmen cannot figure out how fast to feed the wire. The paradox is that there are no strictly established norms. A positive result can be achieved only after a number of experimental attempts.

Pay attention to the relative position of the wire and the rod. The additive should be located in front of the non-consumable electrode, and at a certain angle. This is the only way to ensure an even seam and an optimal welding process.

The beginning and end of welding must be organized so that atmospheric oxygen does not enter the zone. In good inverters, gas begins to flow first, and then an arc is formed.

At the end of the process, after the arc disappears, gas continues to flow for some time. But in the absence of such a function, it is recommended to first supply gas to the future welding zone for 20 seconds and only after that should the arc be ignited. The end of welding manually is carried out in the following sequence: the wire is removed, the burner is turned off. The total time to complete the process is 10 seconds. It is also recommended to gradually reduce the welding current.

If you suddenly remove the wire and the burner, there is a risk of oxygen entering the zone.

Even the above rules, despite their incomplete list, indicate that high-quality arnogue welding requires some experience. The quality of the seam is checked with a special device, but not every welder has such a device in his arsenal. Most often it is necessary to assess fusion penetration visually. If the seam turns out to be round and convex, then this indicates its low quality.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of welding mode. The correct mode, which includes the established parameters, is the key to quality work. Let us remind you once again that all the subtleties can only be learned from personal experience, but some practical tips will allow you to quickly learn how to set up the equipment.

The most important parameters are the type of current and polarity. Their specific values ​​depend on the properties of the metal being welded. For steel parts, direct polarity is provided at direct current. Aluminum alloys are welded with reverse polarity. The current strength is selected based on the thickness of the workpiece. The selected value is also influenced by the thickness of the electrode. All conditions must be taken into account simultaneously. Special tables have been created for beginning masters.

• Metal thickness - 0.3 - 0.7 mm, electrode diameter - 1.6 mm, current - 40 A.
• Metal thickness – 0.8 – 1.2 mm, electrode diameter – 1.6 mm, current – ​​80 A.
• Metal thickness – 1.5 – 2 mm, electrode diameter – 2 mm, current – ​​120 A.
• Metal thickness – 2.5 – 3.5 mm, electrode diameter – 3 mm, current – ​​200 A.

In production, it is possible to monitor one more parameter. it is related to gas consumption. To obtain the best possible result, laminar gas flow should be achieved, that is, its uniform movement without mixing or pulsation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Argon gas welding is not a panacea. It, like any other process, has certain advantages and disadvantages. The question is that in some cases the shortcomings can be minimized or completely ignored.

The advantages include the absence of excessively high temperatures in the weld pool. As a result of this, the parts are not deformed. The use of argon provides a number of advantages.

1. Firstly, the gas is inert, so chemical reactions are completely excluded.
2. Secondly, argon is heavier than air, it sinks down, displacing atmospheric oxygen.

It is noteworthy that at a relatively low temperature the arc has sufficient thermal power, so argon welding is not only characterized by quality, but also by low time costs.

It was noted that the welder must have certain skills. However, these skills are not that difficult to acquire. Almost anyone can master this process.

Finally, a clear advantage of TIG welding is that it is possible to join metals that simply cannot be welded by other methods.

The disadvantages include the fact that welding cannot be carried out efficiently outside in strong winds. The wind will blow out the argon cap, and oxygen will enter the seam area. It should also be noted that there was a negative result among beginners. You have to overcome all mistakes yourself. It may take several attempts before the master learns to select the optimal welding mode.

Source: https://svarkoy.ru/teoriya/argonovaya-svarka.html

Argon welding - features, technique, principle of operation

Often there is a need to weld materials that cannot be joined with conventional types of welding, for example, aluminum, copper, titanium, and so on. Therefore, in order to create a durable one-piece structure from these metals, argon welding is used. What is argon welding and how does it work? These and other questions are answered in this article.

Features of argon cooking

The process - argon arc welding occurs in an environment of inert gas argon, hence the name of the welding process. The use of argon in welding when joining two metals is a protection against oxidation that can occur due to contact with oxygen in the air. That is, argon covers the welding zone and prevents oxygen from penetrating into the area of ​​the mating surfaces.

The welding mode itself can be performed manually, semi-automatically and automatically. There is a classification of modes that depend specifically on the methods described above and the type of electrode involved in the welding process. Two types of electrodes: consumable and non-consumable. The second type includes tungsten wire, with which you can guarantee a strong and reliable connection between two metals, even dissimilar ones.

So, classification of argon arc welding modes:

• Manual welding with argon, where a non-consumable electrode is used - its marking is RAD.
• Argon welding is automatic, where a non-consumable element is used - AMA.
• Automatic argon arc welding, which uses a consumable electrode - AADP.

Operating principle of welding equipment

The welding equipment includes:

• A welding machine of any type for arc welding with an open circuit voltage of 60-70 volts.
• Power contactor, with the help of which voltage will be supplied from the welding machine to the torch.
• Oscillator. This device converts a mains voltage of 220 volts and an oscillation frequency of 50 Hz into a voltage of 2000-6000 volts with a frequency of 150-500 kHz. These electric current parameters make it easy to ignite the arc.
• A device for blowing the welding zone with argon.
• Ceramic burner.
• An argon cylinder is connected to the burner through a reducer and a hose.
• Non-consumable electrode and filler wire.

You can watch a video on how argon welding works, but this is the principle. First, the welding mode is adjusted and the metals being joined are cleaned. The torch is taken in the right hand, the filler wire in the left, it is not connected to electricity. There is a special button on the torch handle with which you can supply protective gas to the welding zone. The gas supply is turned on 20 seconds before the start of welding work.

The burner must be lowered so that there is a small distance between the non-consumable electrode and the surfaces to be welded - within 2 mm. By the way, the electrode is inserted into the burner in such a way that an end no longer than 5 mm protrudes from it. There is a latch inside the burner into which an electrode of any diameter can be inserted.

The welding machine is turned on and voltage is supplied to the electrode. An arc appears between it and the metals being joined. At this time, argon is supplied from the burner nozzle, which covers the welding zone. The welder feeds filler wire into the welding joint, which melts under the action of an electric arc and covers the gap between the parts. In this case, a slow movement is made along the seam.

Do not ignite the electrode by contacting it with the metals being welded. An oscillator is specially used for ignition, as shown in the video.

What is argon arc welding? Principle of technology

All our lives we are accompanied in everyday life by things made of various alloys and non-ferrous metals.

Remember how many times you were looking for a way to connect together, broken into several parts:

• antique item;
• a burst stainless steel container;
• a leaky saucepan from your beloved mother-in-law;
• and much more.

Argon welding will help you solve these everyday issues. Of course, argon welding performed by professionals will be of excellent quality. But the high cost of such a service puts the repair of necessary utensils on hold until better times.

This is where the average person asks: is it possible to use argon arc welding at home and what will be needed for this?! Yes, friends, a home craftsman can do this, and if you have experience in arc welding, then there will be no problems with argon.

General concepts

Argon arc welding - what is it?! The technology uses an electric arc and gas. This hybrid is an electro-gas combination of metals.

It’s clear with an electric arc: it melts the edges of the material being welded and connects them.

But argon is designed to protect the welding site from harmful impurities and gases, i.e. it displaces oxygen from the working bath and isolates the welding site from exposure to the atmosphere.

Why is this necessary? When joining non-ferrous metals and alloy steels, oxygen has a bad effect on the quality of the seam, and aluminum even catches fire. To solve such problems, they use argon gas, which is 38% heavier than air.

The gas supply occurs in advance, before ignition of the arc, and stops after completion of the welding operations.

Due to the lack of reaction in the area of ​​the working area, argon is called inert.

Argon welding is performed with a consumable or non-consumable tungsten electrode. It is not for nothing that in old electric ovens a tungsten spiral was used for cooking, due to its refractoriness.

Electrodes are produced in different diameters and materials for each type of metal being welded.

The variety of welding technology is divided into 3 types:

1. RAD - manual argon arc welding with a non-consumable electrode;
2. AMA - automatic connection with a non-consumable electrode;
3. AADP is an automated consumable electrode process.

Principle of technology

Consider the RAD technology - the welder's hands hold the torch and filler wire.

Before work, clean the surface of the products to be connected and attach the wire to ground. We take the torch in one hand and the wire in the other and bring the equipment to the surface of the metals at a distance of 2-3 mm. We turn on the gas supply with the button on the burner 15 seconds before the current supply.

After a certain time, an electric arc will appear between the electrode and the metal, which melts the edges of the products and the wire. By slowly moving the torch along the seam and feeding the filler wire, we get a beautiful and reliable connection (not always).

You can't do without skill here. The wire must be held in front of the burner at an angle. With trial and error, you can master the technology!

Watch the video on how to cook with argon correctly:

overview of the main TIG welding applications and fixtures:

About consumable electrode welding

For connections in argon with a consumable electrode, special installations and apparatus are used. Welding occurs using a special torch equipped with a small electric motor that feeds wire from a spool.

review of the semi-automatic Tesla MIG MAG MMA 300 designed for consumable electrode welding:

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

What are the pros and cons of argon welding? Flaws:

• the equipment is difficult for beginners;
• welding work requires experience and skill;
• with the manual method, the speed of work is low.

Advantages:

• the weld seam is protected from atmospheric influences;
• heating of the metal is weak, the experimental product does not change shape;
• possibility of joining any alloys;
• the scope of application is limitless;
• rare replacement of electrodes.

Know that the price per centimeter of argon welding across the country ranges from 30 to 300 rubles and the fact of owning the device can also be considered an advantage.

Why is there such a significant difference in price per cm? Depends on the quality of equipment, material and the greed of companies providing such services.

Results

Let's summarize: now you know what it is - argon arc welding? And if you have to carry out welding work quite often, then it’s worth purchasing such equipment!

(1 5,00 out of 5)

Source: https://plavitmetall.ru/svarka/argonom-argonodugovaya-oborudovanie.html

Advantages and disadvantages of argon welding

There are surfaces that are not amenable to conventional arc welding using electrodes. This is due to the chemical properties of metals such as aluminum, copper or non-ferrous alloys. For these purposes, argon arc welding with a consumable electrode is used. What is argon welding, what are the features of the technology, advantages and disadvantages, read in our article.

Operating principle

The argon arc welding process is practically no different from other similar works. The only difference is the protective shell provided by the argon environment. Argon under pressure is supplied to the weld pool, protecting the metal from the negative effects of air. Under the resulting dome, the seams are of higher quality, and the welding process proceeds faster.

An argon mixture can be used to weld specific products made of titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel. You can use non-consumable and consumable electrodes. When welding metals from different alloys, a tungsten rod is used. You can work in manual, automatic or semi-automatic modes.

Manual argon-arc welding is more common than automatic welding due to its relative cheapness. But there is no definite answer as to which welding method is best for welding; it all depends on the preferences of the master and the conditions for joining the parts.

Welding equipment

As we already know, welding can be done manually, where the welder himself conducts the seam, feeds the filler wire and independently sets the machine settings.

Semi-automatic installations are equipped with a special mechanism when the wire is fed automatically, and the master performs all other work without being distracted by feeding the metal rod. Automatic units are used in large industries and operate in conjunction with a CNC machine.

In this case, the person does not participate in the welding process, but enters all the necessary settings into the program, and the machine makes accurate and stable connections.

How to cook in argon

First, let's give a little theory, without which it is impossible to start practicing. Let us once again remind you about the technology of argon arc welding, how to start welding correctly, what to pay attention to so that you do not make a lot of defects.

Before starting work, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the parts to be welded. Even if there is no visible contamination, degreasing and wiping the joints still need to be done. During welding, the arc should not be long, 0.7 - 1.0 is quite enough. With a long arc, the seams are too wide, and the metals are not welded deep enough. Such connections do not last long.

When working with tungsten electrodes, try to keep the tip at a minimum distance from the metal, this will shorten the arc. But this is not all the tricks of a high-quality seam. The movement of the burner should be smooth and not wobble from side to side. It is necessary to work out the position of the hand, otherwise any deviation from parallel can lead to production waste.

The additive and electrode must be in the weld pool area. If you deviate them from the argon flow, then air will enter the welding area and all protection will be compromised. Try to feed the wire evenly, without sudden jumps in speed. Unsmooth movement of the rod will result in excessive metal spattering.

At what pace the wire will move can only be determined through personal experience. There are no clear rules. On the one hand, this question is difficult for beginners, but at the same time you train your skills and after a few stitches you will understand how to act. Hold the filler rod at an angle and in front of the electrode.

Compliance with this rule will make your work easier and will have a positive effect on the evenness of the seam.

Experienced craftsmen recommend starting and finishing the welding process with argon. Then you will be sure that oxygen will not enter the seam area. First turn on the gas valve, and then begin to ignite the arc and make the seam.

The welding work should be completed in the reverse order. Turn off the wire feed, turn off the device, and only then close the gas cylinder.

That is, the protective environment is supplied a few seconds before welding and continues its effect for the same time after completion of the work.

Argon arc welding requires patience from the welder and a little experience. The quality of weld welding can be determined visually, without resorting to measuring instruments. If, after inspecting the cooled joint, you find a convex bead, this means that the joint was made incorrectly and the metal was not completely melted. Of course, it is impossible to give a 100% guarantee without special equipment, but you can understand that the seam leaves much to be desired.

Welding mode selection

Once you have an idea about argon welding, you need to correctly configure the device and what mode it should work in. There are special educational institutions for this, where the regimes are studied for several months, but we don’t have time for an extensive theory, so let’s get down to the most effective advice.

What is welding mode? This is the correct choice of current polarity and its directional movement, as well as control of the current strength. Depending on the type and size of the metal, all characteristics are relative. If you are working with steel, then set up straight polarity and constant current. If you need to weld aluminum parts, then the polarity should be reversed with constant current.

With current strength, everything is clear; the thicker the metal, the larger the diameter of the electrode, and, accordingly, the greater the current strength. But this is only in words. In practice, difficulties arise with this, as with all new beginnings. Beginners should turn to regulatory sources, and experienced professionals set this parameter intuitively. Over time, beginners will succeed too. Let's give a few examples so you know what to start from.

For metal thickness up to 1 mm, use an electrode diameter of 1.6 and set the current to 40 Amperes. With a thickness of 1.5-2.0 mm, the electrode should be 2 mm, the current should be in the range of 80-120A.

An important fact is to control gas consumption. But this is more related to production. To reduce this indicator, we recommend using laminar flow, when the gas flows evenly into the weld pool, does not mix with air and does not pulsate.

Advantages and disadvantages of argon arc welding

Every job has its pros and cons. Let's start with the good:

• parts do not bend under the influence of strong heat, since this welding does not provide for such a mode;
• argon in its chemical properties is heavier than air, so its weight displaces air and prevents the metal from oxidizing;
• if you get used to welding with argon, the process goes faster and better;
• Connecting surfaces is possible with any type of metal.

Now some weak links:

• You should not work with argon in bad weather conditions in open areas. Gusts of wind will blow away the flow of argon, causing the metal to react with air, and this will lead to further corrosion. Work is carried out in enclosed spaces with good ventilation;
• it is difficult for beginners to light an arc and make a seam with a steady hand;
• It is necessary to prepare cooling means in advance if you are using high current.

conclusions

We hope that our article helped you understand the advantages and features of argon welding. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that thanks to this technology, it is possible to weld materials that cannot be properly joined by other types of welding. For example, welding ferrous metal, car rims or welding pipes with argon is carried out only if this method is followed.

Source: https://svarka-weld.ru/svarka-argonom-osobennosti-i-tekhnologiya-processa