Aircraft repair and maintenance is a huge industry. It involves a wide range of techniques and strategies that are implemented to maintain the aircraft in the best way possible. Since aviation welding is a complicated procedure, it requires the services of professional aviation welding specialists to achieve the desired results with the help of suitable welding techniques such as TIG welding.
In 2022, the global aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry was worth 47.3 billion USD and is expected to reach 55.6 billion USD by 2026. This shows that aviation welding is an important industry throughout the world.
Let’s explore the various aspects of TIG welding in detail.
What Is TIG Welding?
Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is a popular type of arc welding that involves using a non-consumable tungsten electrode. TIG welding has been used in different types of welding procedures for a long time now, but it is not suitable in some situations, such as coil manufacturing. It is also called gas-tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
TIG welding is a complicated process, but its results are equally strong and durable when it is performed properly. Therefore, when you are looking for durable results, such as in aircraft where there is no room for error, it is much better to rely on TIG welding than other types of welding.
Importance Of TIG Welding
TIG welding has revolutionized the aircraft welding and repair industry to a great extent. It allows technicians to efficiently join various metals in an aircraft without using fasteners. Some of the most common metals handled in this process are steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium.
Moreover, TIG welding is important as it considers the weight of an aircraft, especially helicopters. Using metals like magnesium alloy makes sure that the aircraft remains light and easy to handle.
TIG welding is the best welding method to deal with magnesium alloy as extremely high temperatures are required to join the metal. Typically, oxyacetylene is used to join the metals.
Also Read: Factors That Determine The Lifespan Of Light Aircraft
Top 3 Benefits Of TIG Welding
Getting the services of an experienced aviation welding technician holds great significance as it provides a wide range of benefits. One such important advantage is that you get to extend the life of aircraft parts through proper welding procedures and techniques.
The following are some of the major benefits of TIG welding that you can get by relying on professional aviation welding technicians:
1. Maximum Control
A professional and experienced technician is able to maintain complete control over the welding process when a tungsten electrode is used to generate an electrical arc. It is possible as tungsten has a very high melting point of approximately 3400°C and is a very hard metal.
This kind of control is not possible in other types of welding, such as MIG welding. The tungsten electrode is responsible for heating and melting the filter material, and then the operator feeds it into the weld area.
Moreover, TIG welding also involves controlling the amperage being given to the electrode. You cannot do this in MIG welding, in which a specific constant arc voltage is present.
2. Versatile Applications
TIG welding is one of the most versatile welding methods for many different reasons. First of all, it involves using tungsten electrodes and shielding gas for all kinds of welding applications. As a result, there is no need to change the welding procedure again and again.
Furthermore, TIG welding has wide-ranging applications as it can be applied to many different types of materials and alloys. Technicians use TIG welding to join everything from mild steel to magnesium alloys.
The versatility of TIG welding is also present in the fact that you can apply it in numerous positions such as vertical, horizontal, and overhead. A well-trained and experienced aviation welding technician can easily handle such procedures and give you the best results.
3. No Need For Cleaning Post-Welding
There are many different types of welding that produce a lot of junk, dust, and debris that have to be cleaned afterward. However, you will not face such an issue in TIG welding.
Since TIG welding is all about controlled and precise welding, it does not involve unnecessary spatter and sparks. Therefore, the entire process is completed quickly without the need to spend hours cleaning post-welding procedures.
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding is one of the leading names in the aviation welding industry. We offer professional and high-quality welding services for all types of aircraft. If you want to benefit from our top-notch services, you can contact us anytime.
