How To Get Good Color Tig Welding
This process of oxidization and varying levels of heat applied will lead to a variety of colors in the weld.
How to get good color tig welding. The formula to calculate the heat input is 60xAmpsxvolts 1000 x travel speed in inmin KJin. I know great welders who use higher heat levels but move MUCH faster than average and their welds are silver to gold in color and look like a stack of dimes. If TIG welding is the main task then a machine with a gas valve will be necessary.
The first titanium weld color is straw followed by brown then brownish blue purple blue green and blue dull salmon pink gray and white oxide. Be certain to use clean pure argon for TIG welding or reduce helium percentages if using a mixture and keep the flow rate between 10 and 20 CFH. Ive got a good handle on aluminum but trying to figure out mild steel and stainless.
The edges of the weld bead should have a smooth transition into the base metal without undercut a defect that appears as a groove in the parent material. They work by directing the flow of the shielding gas to the molten weld pool. Having taught several classes usually around 140 hours of practice and someone is competent in flat through vertical.
For rarer things like aluminum or exotics it will take 200 hours to get decent. Even if you make sure that your base materials are clean stack your welds nicely and minimize spatter contaminated welds can sometimes happen. If you want to experiment with your technique first try building a puddle without filler and as you get the puddle where you like it move a couple inches forward watching the puddle move ahead of your electrode.
Fast travel reduces heat input. Often a light gold color is acceptable and sometimes beyond that depending on the application or code. Four Tips for a Shiny Chrome TIG Weld 1 Use a gas lens instead of a collet body to deliver a smooth column of shielding gas which is a must.
The formula to calculate the travel speed is the length of the weldtime to weld. Most of your welds on headers are fillet welds with maybe a few laps and butts. Assuming they already had welding skills and basic shop knowledge.