A Look at the Types and Features of AC/DC TIG Welders in Australia

Posted by Kym Morgan on April 20th, 2016

TIG or Tungsten Inert Gas welding is the preferred choice of hobbyists and professionals alike for obtaining the best finishes. TIG requires more skill than the comparable MIG welding technique and hence, has long been associated as being the test of skill for a ‘true’ welder. Yet skill can only take you so far. Without the right tools, even the best professionals cannot produce acceptable results. Welding machines, or welders as they are usually called, are arguably the most important tool of all.

Most commonly available TIG welders use DC. They are cheap, yet robust. They are excellent for welding steel, iron, and other ferrous metals. However, they cannot be used for welding aluminium or even low gauge ferrous sheets. These require an AC supply to break through the oxidation layer that forms during the welding process. If not removed, the oxide layer weld will prevent proper weld fusion. This can have a detrimental effect on the quality and strength of the weld.

AC/DC TIG welders are considerably more expensive than regular DC TIG welders. Yet, if you work with aluminium or wish to pick up the skills, it is imperative that you get yourself a high-quality AC/DC TIG welder. Here is a brief list of the types and features of various models available in Australia.

•    Duty Cycle: An AC/DC TIG welder costs a premium, and you should get the added benefits of high duty cycles. For low power output, this should be high enough to allow continuous operation. At most regular operating output currents, a figure above 60% is suitable. Most AC/DC TIG welders have a duty cycle range of 50-80%.

•    Output Current Range: This is also called the ampere range, and wide range allows you to use the welder with a large variety and types of metals. Low output currents are widely sought for delicate work with thin sheets of aluminium that requires outputs as low as 10A. Most steel and iron welding jobs require higher current outputs. A high-quality AC/DC TIG welder can have a range as wide as 5-250A at 60% duty cycle. Lower-end welders may only have a range of 25-200A, which may make them unsuitable for some jobs.

•    Inverter Type: An IGBT is a must in an AC/DC TIG welder. Apart from its quality, these inverters also help reduce the weight of the welder while preventing frequent breakdowns.

•    AC Balance: AC balance helps maintain the ratio of the AC cycle to balance between penetration and cleaning. Manual control of the AC balance gives the technician the freedom to choose their own ratio depending on the metals being welded. High Frequency and Square wave output are also desirable features. They help avoid rectification which can cause the arc to break.

AC/DC TIG welders can now be bought online. This means that a buyer has access to a large inventory and variety. He can pick and choose the features and get the best welder for his needs.

About the author:

Kym Morgan is the marketing director of eWelders.com.au, a leading online specialty welding site in Australia. They sell a massive range of MIG Welders, TIG Welders, ARC Welders, Inverter Welders, Multi-Purpose Welders, High Function TIG Welders, AC/DC TIG Inverters, Spot Welders and Engine Driven Welders in Australia. Their mission at eWelders.com.au is to gather Australia’s best range of welders and put them under one roof.