English
3. Keep It Clean
Cleanliness is important in most welding applications, but it is especially critical to GTAW. Contamination can lead to problems such as porosity and cause eventual rework and wasted materials. These factors make cleanliness even more important when working with costly materials such as titanium and aluminum.
Using a gas lens (left), which changes the way gas flows from the nozzle for improved shielding gas coverage and joint accessibility, is one way to ensure you gain the best quality.
You should always clean base materials of oils, grease, and dirt before welding to avoid contaminating the weld. Apply cleaning and degreasing products with a clean, dry, soft cloth. If you are using these products on titanium, make sure the cloth is lint-free. Handle titanium with nitrile gloves, which are resistant to oils and grease. Take caution when choosing a type of cleaner to ensure it does not contain any chlorine, as this can cause severe health problems from fumes created by the welding arc.
Handling filler metals appropriately is important too. Keep cut lengths clean and dry and stored in closed containers. A controlled environment is important to help prevent oxidation of these filler metals. Proper storage of base materials is another key consideration. For example, aluminum base material pieces should always be stored upright and not laid on top of each other to minimize the risk of oxidation.
Avoiding cross-contamination is also important. The grinding dust from a previous piece of material can easily contaminate the weld. Use designated grinding wheels and brushes for each type of material to prevent this problem. In addition, note that grinding dust from titanium and magnesium can be flammable and can contaminate other pieces. Take care to set up grinding for these materials in a separate area and away from open flames.
