How TIG Welding Was Invented

Running head: HOW TIG WELDING WAS INVENTED
HOW TIG WELDING WAS INVENTED
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HOW TIG WELDING WAS INVENTED 2
Introduction
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding method employs a non-consumable tungsten electrode
as the primary component. A gas that is inert such as argon or helium is normally used to shield
weld area as well as the electrode. TIG as well is termed as Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
The development of TIG began in the1800s.
Invention of TIG
TIG welding idea originated from C.L. Coffin when he proposed that a non-oxidizing gas
can be weld. Therefore, in the year 1890, his idea was patented. Later, H.M. Hobart refined the
concept by showing that an inert gas such as helium would be the best for shielding in the late
1920s (Bang et al., 2016). Consequently, P.K Devers as well demonstrated the use of argon for
the same purpose. As such, this method was ideal for welding metals such as aluminum,
stainless, and magnesium. However, welding these non-ferrous materials resulted in many
difficulties since such metals reacts quickly with the air leading to dross-filled and porous welds
(DeVore, 2015). The solution was to use bottled inert gases (the early 1930s) and direct current
in the process of gas shielding.
However, these techniques were insufficient in welding magnesium and aluminum.
Therefore, Russell Meredith perfected the welding act in the year 1941 by proposing joining of
light alloys (Jetly & Singla, 2014). Meredith was working with the Northrop Aircraft
Corporation, and it’s during this time that the TIG welding process was established in Southern
California. Since the method used helium as the sole gas for shielding, and a tungsten electrode
arc, Meredith named it Heliarc. However, it is usually termed as TIG (tungsten inert gas
welding). The American Welding Society, on the other hand, refer to it as GTAW (gas tungsten