Why do you need to use AC for Tig welding aluminium

The question often asked is….. why do you need to use AC for Tig welding aluminium?

Electrons need to flow welding work piece to welding tungsten in order to remove aluminium oxide. Excess workpiece to welding tungsten electron flow builds heat at the tungsten tip therefore alternating this process enables the oxide to be removed and heat to build at the job for penetration. A balance control can therefore give more cleaning or more job penetration by adjusting balance to be more positive or more negative.

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1 comment on “Why do you need to use AC for Tig welding aluminium”

  1. aluminium welding

    Thanks for this. I sort of knew but was confused about what the AC did exactly. Your explanation cleared it up. The balance control is pretty important to the process of tig welding aluminium.

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