Argon arc welding, its types and characteristics

Argon arc welding is a kind of electric arc welding. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the welding process takes place in a protective gas environment, which prevents oxidation of the metal.

The zone that is treated with protective gas includes the following elements: electrode tip and filler material, a certain weld area and a weld zone. Argon is a neutral inert gas that does not interact with the metal during welding and is fed through a special nozzle of the burner electric holder. According to the name of the gas involved in the technological process, this type of connection of parts was named.

Equipment for argon-arc welding includes a non-consumable electrode, which is traditionally made of tungsten. This refractory metal has all the required qualities and characteristics, so it is often used in this type of welding.

In this case, the filler material is fed in the form of wire or rod, which is periodically immersed in the welding bath during the process. During operation, the electrode is held by means of a special holder, which is mounted inside the nozzle, intended for supplying argon gas to the zone where argon arc welding is carried out. Equipment, respectively, must withstand both the electric current passing through the electrodes and the thermal effect from the use of argon.

However, not only tungsten electrodes are produced. They can also be made of stainless steel and aluminum. In this regard, argon arc welding is divided into 2 types:

1. With a consumable electrode.
2. With non-consumable electrode.

Argon arc welding is manual and automatic. In automatic welding, only electrode welding is used, and manual welding can be made by a non-consumable electrode.

The technological process of argon-arc welding.

Since inert gases do not interact with metals, and because they are on average 38% heavier than the oxygen used in welding, argon readily displaces air with undesirable impurities from the weld zone. This avoids undesirable oxidation of the resulting weld, which significantly improves product quality and aesthetic qualities.

Electric current is passed through the electrodes to the parts to be welded. Simultaneously with the beginning of the passage of the current part, the supply of argon through the burner nozzle begins. The process of entering the welding zone of the filler material, which melts under the action of heat released from the current flow, is initiated.

Since the argon medium does not allow the occurrence of an arc, it is necessary to use a special device called an oscillator. This device ensures reliable ignition of the arc by high-frequency pulses, and also increases the stabilization of the arc discharge at the time of polarity reversal.

Advantages of argon arc welding are:

1. Efficiency.
2. Small thickness of welded seam.
3. The possibility of welding parts without the participation of filler material.