How to TIG Weld Titanium?
Titanium welding is the method of welding together two pieces of metal. It is mainly used in the automotive industry. However, people are slowly getting interested in welding titanium because it is solid and durable.
But the question arises, how does one tig weld titanium?
As we know, titanium is a very expensive metal, so to use this metal in any manufacturing process, you must use special machines.
The process of titanium welding is done using a specialized welding machine. This machine, known as the tig (torch) welding machine, can heat the titanium pieces and allow them to be fused.
We are now returning to the question of how to TIG weld titanium. We will tell you the answer to that question.
Titanium TIG Weld History
In 2005, the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a $6.3 million grant to the University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry to create an implantable artificial tooth made of titanium (a metal commonly used in construction and aviation). The project was soon dubbed the “Michigan Institute of Nanotechnology,” or MIINT. This research program also first suggested using TIG welding for manufacturing titanium ingots.
Soon after, DOE awarded the University of Michigan another $14.4 million grant to expand the original project to develop a TIG welding technique to produce titanium ingots. This work led to the development of Tig Weld, a patented open-casting technology launched commercially by the TIG Weld Corporation, LLC, in September 2013.
Today, TIG Weld titanium is manufactured in various shapes and sizes. It is sold to companies that use the material in various ways, including making metal products, developing medical implants, and creating jewelry.
How to TIG Weld Titanium
Firstly you have to acquire a piece of titanium. Secondly, the torch is the device that helps you to weld titanium. The final part is the wire, responsible for melting the titanium pieces.
First of all, you need to purchase a wire. You need to choose the size of the wire. You can buy one with a length of 20 feet or 30 feet, or 40 feet. The next step is the preheat, which is a process of melting the ends of the titanium. The wire must be in contact with the workpiece to melt the ends.
After that, you need to hold the wire with the right force while the wire is in the molten state. Now comes the next step, where you need to connect the end of the wire to the titanium.
Then the pressure and the welding time can decide. You will get strong and durable welded titanium if correctly welding is done.
Best Practices for Welding Titanium
Titanium is a very hard and durable metal, making it a perfect choice for building cars and ships. Even though it is extremely expensive, it is one of the most preferred metals for many industrial applications. Due to its hardness, titanium is also known as the hardest material in the universe, and it comes in different forms, such as pure, composite, and alloy.
Titanium alloys are used extensively in the manufacturing of dental implants. They are also very strong and can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees F. Also, they are resistant to chemical attack and corrosion.
Therefore, you can Welding Titanium with a two-step process, wherein a filler rod is added to the base metal. Here, we are discussing the best welding practices to use for titanium.
First step – Preparation
Before carrying out any welding operation, the surface needs to be prepared. Clean the area that is going to be painted with acid. In this process, the welds are very clean and are almost invisible.
Clean the titanium to remove the contaminants like grease, oil, and dirt.
Second step – Heat-up
Heat the base metal with a torch and a suitable filler rod.
Use a suitable shielding gas for the welding of titanium. Gas shielding is required to prevent oxidation and the creation of oxide films on the surface.
Hydrogen is a good-quality shielding gas that helps protect the welding area. A better and more efficient gas is Argon.
For titanium welding, use argon gas at a pressure of 5-15 psi and a flow rate of 1.5-2.5 LPM.
If you have yet to gain experience in welding, you should use an experienced person for the job.
Why We Use TIG Weld Titanium?
One of the reasons we use Tig Weld Titanium is its strength. For example, you may not believe it, but titanium is one of the strongest metals.
If you think about it, it won’t last long if you use a knife made of steel. Steel knives can easily be bent or broken if you drop them or hit them with another knife.
On the other hand, if you use a titanium knife, it will last forever. This is why titanium is called one of the strongest metals. Tig Weld Titanium has many applications in the manufacturing industry. It makes golf clubs, cars, airplanes, knives, and surgical tools.
What are the Advantages of TIG Welding Titanium?
Titanium is used in aerospace, transportation, medicine, and other industries. It is solid and highly resistant to corrosion and fatigue. However, titanium must be heat-treated like many other metals to improve its resistance to heat and corrosion.
An annealing process is typically used for titanium alloys, but the high cost of that treatment limits its application in many circumstances. Instead, tig welding allows us to use less costly methods to heat treat the material and achieve the same benefits as traditional heat treatments.
There are other reasons to tig weld titanium. Because of its lightweight and high-strength properties, have been used for many types of structures, including bridges, water towers, offshore platforms, and other applications.
What are the Disadvantages of Tig Weld Titanium?
Though Tig Weld titanium is considered a low-cost manufacturing option, it is only partially cost-effective. While the process is fast and efficient, there is still much time and work to get from the original ore to the finished product.
Therefore, the initial investment is higher than for many other options. And because there are fewer manufacturers of titanium alloys, there are also fewer options when it comes to purchasing the final product.
Tips and Tricks for TIG Weld Titanium
TIG welding titanium is not that difficult. You need to learn how to do it properly. Make sure that you don’t heat the weld joint. You can heat the area between the two titanium pieces and combine them. Remember that you need to pay attention to detail.
There are some things that you should pay attention to.
- The first thing is that you need to clean everything properly.
- A dirty surface is harder to weld, so you must clean it more.
- Remember to pay attention to the polarity. If you have positive and negative going toward the weld, you will get a bright spot in the middle.
- Make sure that your electrodes are close enough to each other.
- It would be best to have about 1/16th of an inch between them.
- You can use the same method of heating.
- If you heat one piece of metal and then put it on top of the other, you will have a bright spot in the middle.
- Make sure that the heat stays constant when you are heating your titanium.
- If you have an arc welder, it is recommended to use it to heat the titanium.
Conclusion
Welding titanium is an easy and effective way to create a sturdy and durable product. You can create an accurate and consistent weld by following the tips provided in this article.
Now that you have read this article, you can easily understand the concept of titanium welding. If you want to work on titanium, follow the abovementioned guidelines. We hope that this article helps you to know the basic things about the welding of titanium.
FAQS
Can you weld titanium with a TIG welder?
Yes, you can weld titanium with a TIG welder. This depends on the size of the pieces you’re working on and your welding technique. The TIG welding machine is ideal for the job, giving you the best control over the arc and the wire.
Is TIG welding titanium difficult?
TIG welding titanium takes work. It requires the right equipment, a good knowledge of welding and cutting techniques, and much practice to master. If you’re interested in learning TIG welding titanium, you can start with basic lessons online and gradually learn the necessary skills. Once ready, you can head to a professional welding company and take their courses.
Do you TIG weld titanium on AC or DC?
Titanium is a highly reactive metal that must be welded in a pure argon atmosphere. That said, you can TIG weld titanium on AC power if you don’t have any exposed copper or aluminum parts in the welding area. But if you have any copper or aluminum parts nearby, you should use DC power instead.
