6 Tips For Better GTAW Results Ⅵ

6. Use Gas Lenses

The gas coverage on the material has a direct impact on the weld. Using a gas lens, which changes the way gas flows from the nozzle to improve shielding gas coverage and joint accessibility, is one way to ensure you gain the best quality.

Consumables on the front end of a GTAW torch include the gas cup, the collet, the collet body, and the back cap. A gas lens replaces the collet body that is standard in a GTAW torch. A standard collet body typically has four holes to distribute gas. In contrast, a gas lens has a fine screen that gas flows through to evenly distribute the shielding gas around the tungsten and along the weld puddle and arc, similar to how an aerator on a faucet changes the flow of water.

A gas lens provides much better gas coverage over the weld pool, which is important when welding metals such as stainless steel, titanium, and INCONEL®. Gas lenses provide benefits when welding steel and aluminum too. When you encounter applications that require extra gas coverage or better accessibility to complicated joints, a gas lens also lets you extend the tungsten further to reach the weld. Note: Using a gas lens requires larger-diameter cups to fit over it.