Pipe Welding

TIG pipe welding is used in thousands of modern industrial applications. It is slower than stick welding, but demands proper technique in making the weld. TIG pipe welding, a specialized segment of TIG welding, can be utilized with a variety of metals—including stainless steel, nickel, copper, and more. Pipelines represent an important part of the world’s economy. They are necessary global and national networks, which transport petroleum and other resources directly to consumers, companies, and military bases. We would have none of this if it were not for the advances made in TIG pipe welding procedures. Furthermore, our urban skylines would be much lower and less dazzling minus all the amazing skyscrapers—and the TIG pipe welding that holds them together. TIG pipe welding is the best way to join two sections of metal pipe. You do not need fancy joints or horrendously expensive specialized threading machines. A simple but high quality welding machine, electrodes, proper accessories—clamps and collets—and protective gear have done the job since the beginning of the 1900s. Before beginning a TIG pipe weld, operators familiarize themselves with the type of base material they are working with. They choose a filler material—if applicable—which matches their base material in weight and density to ensure an even weld. One must first be familiar with TIG welding in general. TIG welding is similar to standard arc welding except that it uses a tungsten electrode to create the weld. Argon is an inert gas used to protect the workspace from contamination in the air by bouncing out unwanted oxygen. Sometimes a filler is used, sometimes not—as in the case of autogenous welds. A constant current power supply provides the energy needed by the arc to create the weld. There are a few methods most commonly used in TIG pipe welding. The most skilled of operators use a method called “walking the cup.” It allows operators to weld for longer distances without stopping—which can make TIG pipe welds uneven. A gas lens and a ceramic cup are used in this process. The ceramic cup delivers electricity and gas to the area to be welded. The ceramic can sustain the extremely high temperatures used in TIG pipe welding, but choosing the proper tungsten electrodes should be taken into consideration before beginning any welding job. Once your arc is started, place the ceramic cup near the weld area and steadily move the torch back and forth along the pipe. Think about rolling a full oil drum across the floor by rocking it back and forth. This is the similar rocking motion applied by the torch to the weld area. Do this quickly to prevent the tungsten from sticking to the work area. If a contractor out on the field has no access to a foot pedal—which is often the case with some aeronautic and industrial outdoor workspaces—he must take extra precaution to control the travel speed of the torch manually. It takes skill, practice and patience but is hands down the most used method in TIG pipe welding. The position of the pipe itself is another factor in TIG pipe welding. Pipe can be welded in one of four standard ways: horizontal rolled flat position, horizontal fixed position, inclined fixed position and vertically. There is also a fifth inclined fixed position that must be used with an extra restrictive ring. One must show the same respect with TIG pipe welding as with any other arc welding process. Proper tools and skills are a requirement, but it doesn’t end there. A high quality TIG welder such as the ArcMate LW-200ACDC from www.longevity-inc.com will ensure optimum welds.