Micro-plasma welding

Other than in tungsten inert gas welding (TIG), gas is additionally ionized to neck down the arc in micro-plasma welding. This focuses the released energy easily 10 times as sharply as in TIG welding. As a plasma gas, use is mostly made of argon, or argon/hydrogen and argon/helium gas mixtures.

The process is used with metal sheet or buildup thicknesses up to about 1 mm thick and currents up to about 20 amperes. Plasma welding is mostly mechanized, its manipulation being comparatively difficult on account of the narrow arc.

Advantages of micro-plasma welding over TIG welding:

The high energy concentration produces narrow, deep weld pools permitting high welding rates to be achieved. Also, the heat-affected zones are appreciably smaller, reducing the risk of heat distortion of the parts.