Manual TIG Welding
Master welders perform precision TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas / GTAW) welds on stainless steel, aluminum, and copper alloys. TIG produces the cleanest, most visually refined weld bead among all arc processes — zero spatter, no slag, smooth 'stacked-dime' profile. It is the default choice when weld appearance, food-grade hygiene (welds produced to AWS D18.1 practice, Ra ≤ 0.8 μm), or radiographic inspection is required.
TIG welding joins sheet metal with a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod under argon shielding. It gives the cleanest, most controllable weld of any process we run, with minimal spatter and a narrow heat-affected zone, which makes it the default choice for stainless enclosures, food-grade assemblies and visible cosmetic seams.
When should I choose TIG over MIG?
Choose TIG on thin material, on stainless and aluminium, and wherever the seam will be visible or has to be leak-tight. It is slower and more operator-dependent than MIG, so it costs more per metre of weld. On structural steel 3 mm and thicker with no cosmetic requirement, MIG is the cheaper and faster option.
How do you control distortion on thin sheet?
Distortion comes from heat input, so we control it with a tight fit-up, low amperage, short stitch welds in a balanced sequence and copper or aluminium backing as a heat sink. Where a panel must stay flat, we weld in a fixture and, if needed, planish and re-check flatness before finishing.
TIG vs MIG vs laser welding on sheet metal
| Factor | TIG | MIG | Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material thickness | 0.5–6 mm | 1.5 mm and up | 0.2–3 mm |
| Weld appearance | Best — cosmetic seams | Good, needs dressing | Excellent, minimal marking |
| Heat input / distortion | Low | High | Very low |
| Speed | Slowest | Fast | Fastest |
| Best for | Stainless, aluminium, cosmetic | Structural steel, thick plate | Thin sealed enclosures |
Common questions about Manual TIG Welding
Can TIG welds be ground and polished flush?
Yes. TIG produces a clean bead with no spatter, so grinding back to a flush seam and brushing to a matching grain is straightforward. On stainless enclosures we routinely finish seams to a #4 brushed direction so the weld line disappears into the surrounding surface.
Do TIG welded stainless parts still resist corrosion?
They do if the weld is properly shielded and the heat tint is removed. We back-purge or use shielding on the root where the weld is exposed to product contact, then passivate or electropolish the assembly to restore the chromium oxide layer across the weld zone.
Is TIG welding suitable for a sealed IP-rated enclosure?
It is the standard approach for IP65–IP67 enclosures. We weld continuous seams rather than stitches, then verify with a leak or spray test appropriate to the rating. Tell us the target IP rating at RFQ stage so the weld sequence and gasket design are planned together.
Materials we run this process on
Related capabilities and next steps
Specifications
Capabilities
TIG vs Other Welding Methods
Multi-parameter comparison to help you choose the right joining method for your application.
| Parameter | TIG (GTAW) | MIG (GMAW) | Spot (RSW) | Laser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Speed | Slow — manual pace, 50–300 mm/min | Moderate — 1000–3000 mm/min | Very fast — 0.1–0.5 s/spot | Very fast — 10–5000 mm/min |
| HAZ Width | Narrow — 1–2 mm | Moderate — 3–5 mm | Very narrow — <1 mm | Ultra-narrow — <1 mm |
| Distortion | Low | Moderate | Very low | Minimal |
| Filler Material | Optional | Required | None | None |
| Automation | Manual / semi-auto | Semi-auto / auto | Fully automated | Fully automated |
| Appearance | Excellent — smooth stacked-dime bead | Good — minor ripples | Limited — spot marks only | Excellent — cosmetic seam |
| Best For | Food-grade, sanitary, visible joints | High-speed structural welds | High-volume sheet assemblies | Precision enclosures, thin-wall parts |
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