Professional TIG Welding Services for Your Business
TIG welding (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and inert gas shielding to produce high-quality, precise welds on thin materials and critical applications.
About TIG Welding
TIG welding, formally known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), is a precision welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the arc. An inert shielding gas (typically argon or helium) protects the weld pool from atmospheric contamination. Filler material may be added manually or automatically. TIG welding produces the highest quality welds of any arc welding process, with superior control, minimal spatter, and excellent aesthetics. It is the preferred process for welding thin materials, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and exotic alloys. TIG welding is essential in aerospace, medical device, food processing, and pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing.
Tolerances
Depends on fixturing; ±0.005"-±0.015" achievable with proper setup
Lead Time
3-10 business days for prototypes; 2-6 weeks for production
Cost Range
$75-$200/hour; $50-$2,000+ per assembly
Compatible Materials
Advantages
- Highest quality welds
- Precise control of heat input
- Minimal spatter and cleanup
- Excellent on thin materials (<0.060")
- Welds all metals including exotic alloys
- Beautiful, consistent weld appearance
Limitations
- Slower than MIG welding
- Requires highly skilled welders
- Higher cost per foot of weld
- Not ideal for very thick materials
- Manual process limits production speed
Industries Served
Aerospace
The aerospace industry manufactures aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and related components requiring the highest standards of precision, quality, and reliability.
Automotive
The automotive industry manufactures vehicles and components, demanding high-volume production, consistent quality, and competitive pricing across a complex global supply chain.
Medical Devices
The medical device industry manufactures instruments, implants, diagnostics, and equipment that must meet stringent regulatory requirements for safety and biocompatibility.
Food & Beverage
Food and beverage manufacturing requires hygienic processing equipment, stainless steel fabrication, and FDA-compliant components for safe food production and packaging.
Semiconductor
Semiconductor manufacturing produces microchips and integrated circuits through ultra-precise fabrication processes in cleanroom environments with nanometer-scale tolerances.
TIG Welding FAQ
When is TIG welding preferred over MIG welding?
TIG welding is preferred for thin materials (<0.060"), stainless steel and aluminum where appearance matters, exotic alloys (titanium, Inconel), critical aerospace and medical applications, and any weld where quality and precision outweigh speed considerations.
Can TIG welding be automated?
Yes, orbital TIG welding is widely used for automated pipe and tube welding, especially in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and food processing applications. Robotic TIG welding is also used for production parts where weld quality is paramount.
What gas is used for TIG welding?
Pure argon is the most common shielding gas for TIG welding. Helium or argon-helium mixtures are used for aluminum and copper to increase heat input. Argon-hydrogen mixtures are used for stainless steel to improve penetration and weld appearance.
How thin of material can TIG weld?
TIG welding can join materials as thin as 0.005" (0.13mm) with pulsed current. Material from 0.020" to 0.060" is routinely TIG welded. This thin-material capability makes TIG essential for medical devices, electronics enclosures, and aerospace components.
What certifications are needed for TIG welding?
AWS D17.1 covers aerospace fusion welding. ASME Section IX covers pressure vessels and piping. AWS D1.2 covers structural aluminum. NADCAP provides aerospace quality accreditation. Welders must pass performance qualification tests for each procedure they perform.
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