There is usually no contact between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece during argon arc welding (TIG welding).
Here’s why:
Maintain a steady arc
The tungsten electrode transfers heat by forming an arc between it and the workpiece, which produces a high temperature to melt the metal of the workpiece for welding. If the electrode touches the workpiece directly, the circuit will be short-circuited, arcs cannot form, and the welding process cannot proceed.
Protects electrodes and workpieces
If the tungsten electrode touches the workpiece, it will cause the electrode to be ablated or stick to the workpiece, damaging the electrode and affecting the weld quality, and may also cause arc instability or interruption.
Reasonable clearance control
The welder needs to maintain a certain distance between the electrode and the workpiece (generally 1~3 mm), which allows the arc to exist stably, generate enough heat while avoiding contact.
Special circumstances
Although there is generally no contact, in some special welding processes or automatic control of equipment, there may be a short contact arc (such as contact arc starting mode), but this is only the instantaneous state when the arc starts, and the electrode and workpiece do not touch during normal welding.
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