TIG welding is a form of arc welding, with TIG standing for tungsten inert gas. The aforementioned inert gas is used to shield the weld pool from atmosphere contamination, upholding the strength and surface finish of the weld bond.
Arc welding melts and fuses two workpieces using the heat produced by an electrical arc. Unlike MIG welding, which uses a consumable electrode that melts and forms part of the weld bond, the tungsten electrodes used within TIG welding are non-consumable; therefore, the weld bond consists entirely of molten material from the corresponding workpieces, as well as any filler material that may or may not be used. TIG welding results in a stronger weld bond, in addition to a higher degree of precision and aesthetics.
However, TIG welding is a much slower process than MIG welding, which can mean that production costs are comparatively higher. It is generally suited to thinner materials, with a maximum thickness of approximately ¼". A wide range of materials can be TIG welded, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, titanium, alloy steel and magnesium.