Under usual configurations, the TIG process presents problems when used autogenously with high current and welding speed. In this condition defects in the weld bead usually occur, especially discontinuities called humping. In a study conducted at LABSOLDA, welds with excellent quality were obtained using the TIG process reaching speeds of 1.5 m/min. Under argon-hydrogen shielding gas mixtures welding speed similar to the conventional MIG/MAG process was allowed, with the advantage of being performed without filler material. The objective of this paper is to provide support for a new analysis of the defects formation in high productivity TIG welding, since the theory based on the arc pressure does not fully contemplate what has been being observed in practice. In this work, tests were performed with different current levels using argon, helium and argon-hydrogen mixtures as shielding gas. The results show that, for the same average current, as the H2 content was increased, there were also gradual increases of melted area and melting efficiency. It was possible to show evidences that the mechanism of defects formation depends not only on the arc pressure, but on the balance between arc pressure and the quantity of molten metal, which depend on the melting efficiency provided by the used gas.
High speed welding; GTAW; Humping; discontinuities; Hydrogen
