GTAW -From our Training Manual
Permanent jewellery welding is essentially welding but on a miniature scale. If any other jewellers or training sources suggest that argon is unnecessary, they are mistaken.
Permanent jewellery welding goes by various names, such as micro TIG or arc welding (GTAW), but all these terms refer to the use of a gas tungsten arc welder.
Using argon is crucial in this process. Some individuals in the jewellery field may avoid using argon, but doing so leaves the weld area unprotected, resulting in brittle and contaminated jump rings that are unattractive. When argon is used as a shielding gas during welding, it creates a protective barrier against oxygen, leading to stronger, neater, and more consistent welds.
In summary, no matter the terminology, permanent jewellery welding relies on the presence of tungsten, a shielding gas, and an arc. Utilising argon as the shielding gas is crucial to attaining durable and aesthetically pleasing results in the welding process.
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
The Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process, also known as Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, involves creating an electric arc between a non-consumable tungsten electrode and the workpiece to generate heat. This concentrated arc generates the required heat for welding.
To ensure the integrity of the weld, the weld zone is safeguarded against the detrimental effects of oxygen and nitrogen present in the atmosphere. This protection is achieved by using an inert shielding gas. The shielding gas not only shields the weld from harmful atmospheric elements but also provides a conductive path for the arc to travel across the gap between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece. This process ensures precision and control during the welding operation, resulting in high-quality welds.
Autogenous welding is a form of welding in which the filler material is either supplied by melting the base material or is of identical composition.
