Electrode Size Tig Weld 20 Gauge Sheet Metal

Fit up and joint design.

Electrode size tig weld 20 gauge sheet metal.

I am new to welding and am trying to butt weld 22 guage mild steel sheet together i am using a miller dynasty 200 dx tig tried 1 8 ceriated electrode 3 32 lath electrode with argon flow at 20 cfh settings are dc with current ranging from 10 to 50 amps the butt joints are fit fairly tight but you can see light through the gap my problem is the edges of the steel melt away and open holes almost. Compared with other electrodes thoriated electrodes deposit less tungsten into the weld puddle so they cause less weld contamination. Tig welding sheet metal forget the larger 1 8 inch tungsten electrode and use a smaller one. 1 a 1 6mm tungsten is ok down to about 30 amps.

The larger filler rod cools the weld pool more than the smaller rod so you might add about 5 amps if using 1 6mm filler rod. A bad low quality earth or a low voltage supply can seriously lower the maximum welding capabilities of your welder. 2 2mm is the transition between 1 0mm and 1 6mm filler rod. Tig welding parametres table.

Sheet metal welding demands really tight fit ups. In a situation when a welder needs to make a butt weld on a 20 gauge panel and the parts are not able to touch each other not even for even 1 16 inches you will create a gap that is not capable of being absorbed by the heat. The diameters down to 020 040 and 1 16 inch tungsten are popular. Tig welding and tungsten metal work so well when welding mild steel because the tungsten keeps the arc with a consistent temperature of 11 000 degrees f.

Below are five tables that will help select the correct current and tungsten size type when initially setting up your tig welder tweak and change as necessary for your own situation. It can be used on thinner material if the tip is kept very sharp. Tungsten brings us a high melting point and also offers excellent electrical conductivity as you weld so the tungsten electrode won t ever burn up. These non consumable electrodes come in a variety of sizes and lengths and are composed of either pure tungsten or a hybrid of tungsten and other rare.

Ceriated tungsten are preferred with thoriated tungsten as a second option.