Welding is a very hard thing to understand. It requires a deep understanding of many things, or things can go wrong. Understanding welding in all its terms and methods can be a daunting task. People new to welding often need help with why and how things are done. One such mess is balling and sharpening tungsten. Why should I nod tungsten before welding? Ordinary tungsten doesn’t work?
Aluminum is a more difficult metal to weld. Welders often find it easier to work with steel or steel alloys because aluminum requires higher temperatures to heat up. TIG, i.e., tungsten inert gas, welding is commonly utilized for welding aluminum. Occasionally a welder also uses a MIG to weld aluminum. Tungsten inert gas welding works with non-consumable tungsten electrodes. Traditionally, sharpened tungsten electrodes were used to initiate the arc. Now, enriched tungsten gives better results. Boring tungsten for aluminum welding requires a welder to follow several steps. Tungsten balls are one of many ways to guarantee better welding results, but they are one of the most important, along with the welder’s welding technique, the shield wire, and the inert gas used when welding aluminum.
What is a Tungsten Electrode?
Tungsten electrodes are one of the most important parts of a TIG welding system. After all, the tungsten electrode transfers the arc from the welder to the metal. You will only get a clean, strong weld if you set the electrode correctly. You should typically sharpen electrodes before welding to maximize welding arc performance. This process can be confusing for new welders. Tungsten electrodes can withstand very high temperatures with minimal melting or erosion. This is the reason for their usage. Electrodes are manufactured using powder metallurgy and formed to size after sintering. This is why they are useful to use in welding.
Do Tungsten Electrodes Need Sharpening?
A good tungsten electrode shape and penetration are essential for a good TIG weld bead. Choosing the right tungsten electrode type and quality is one of the most important factors affecting weld appearance. Polishing and sharpening tungsten electrodes are important in obtaining a good weld bead in TIG welding. If the tungsten electrode is sharpened properly, many problems can occur during welding, resulting in clean and strong welds. Therefore, for the best performance in TIG welding, the tungsten electrode is usually sharpened before welding begins. As a TIG welder, it is important to know how to properly polish tungsten electrodes for the best welding results. Armed with the right grinder and sharpening tools, you can make your life easier.
Sharpening Tungsten
You can follow the steps below to sharpen your tungsten to ensure the best quality welding.
Choose the Sharpening Tool
The first step in the sharpening process is to choose the right tool. You can use various tools for polishing. Each device has strengths and weaknesses. Many tools include specialized tungsten electrode sharpeners, bench grinders, angle grinders, and chemical electrode sharpeners. Whatever tool you choose, you should follow the six steps above to give the electrode a fresh spot.
Clear Off Contamination
Molten metal is picked up by touching the molten pool with the tip of the electrode. This metal is not only on the surface of the electrodes. Some of it mixes with the tip of the tungsten rod. The tip must be broken or cut to remove all impurities. Tungsten is relatively brittle so the tips can be broken off easily. Pinch it with pliers and fold it. Some sharpeners have a notch for breaking off the tip. If you have such a sharpener, insert the rod’s tip into the breaker channel. Insert so that all dirt is below the predetermined breaking point. Press hard on the electrode to break the bad part of the stick.
Use Tungsten Grinder
The grinding wheel picks up a piece of metal being ground. Aluminum is known to clog grinding wheels, but steel also leaves residue. Polishing and sharpening the electrode with another metal-filled disk can introduce impurities into the rod. Move the bar using a clean wheel over the surface of the wheel. Tungsten is harder than whetstones. Passing the electrode through the same wheel strip each time wears out the wheel groove.
Angle For Grinding
It may be tempting to hold the metal perpendicular to the rotary motion of the grinder. This allows the bar to rotate naturally in your hand as the wheels spin. However, it would be best if you didn’t do this. A groove is formed outside the bar, and the arc wanders. A wobbly arc makes it difficult to get a smooth, straight weld. Instead of sanding around the bar, sand along the bar. You have to keep the long axis of the bar parallel to the wheel’s movement. This creates a straight groove that guides the arc to the bar’s tip. Polishing like this will give you a smooth and even arc.
Perfect Angle
22.5 degrees is the most common angle for polishing electrodes. This angle works in most situations. This way, he can find 22.5 when polishing without a guide. Hold it vertically and horizontally against the wheel before touching the rod with the grinder. You can change the angles to your liking, but this is the best. Varying the tip’s angle and sharpness changes the weld bead’s properties. Use angle changes to make welds go deeper or work better with thinner material. A long taper with a sharp tip creates a wide bead with a shallow bite.
Moreover, it is also easy to start and produces a very stable arc. Sharp points work better with lower amperage. Electrode life tends to be shortened because small dots break off, and the sharp tip welds very thin metals without melting or warping. A short blunt taper provides a narrow bead with deep penetration. Arcs are harder to initiate and tend to wander more, and the blunt tip lasts longer and works well at high amperage. Use a blunt tip when welding thick metal and drive the weld deep into the metal.
Taper Bar
This is another important thing you should keep in mind. The tapered tip length should be about 2/3 of the bar diameter. It can be a short, pointed spike. Just taper slightly to create an arc. Leave a flat spot at the tip about 2/3 of the bar diameter. Like the 22.5 rule, the 2/3 back 2/3 flat rule is not a fixed rule. You can adjust the grind to suit the situation and your mood. A sharp tip is best for thin metal, while a blunt tip is best for thick material.
Clean the Bar
The last step is to clean the bar. You must do this step carefully and know which material is harmful to cleaning and which is safe. Grease and oil are unsafe to be used while welding and can ruin your work. After polishing the tip, wipe it with acetone. Acetone removes any contaminants that may have come into contact with the chip.
Lastly, sharpen several electrodes at a time. Having a handful of electrodes available will allow you to replace them if they become contaminated, which can also save you trouble. This means you can continue welding without interrupting polishing. Use round tips when welding aluminum to aluminum. This results in a deeper weld and better scrubbing of aluminum oxide.
