What Is Wig Welding?

Wig welding is not something related to baldness and a wig worn on a persons head. In fact it is an arc welding procedure carrying the full name Wolfram Inert Gas Welding, wig for short.

The name wolfram used in the title of the welding type actually comes from the type of electrode used. This electrode is called a Wolfram electrode and it is a specially designed electrode that will not burn down through usage thus giving a quality weld.

Essentially Wig Welding is a form of gas tungsten arc welding, known as GTAW or TIG welding, but because of the specialist electrode used the name of the welding type was changed.

The Wolfram electrode was designed in the 1940's in the United States and has been used in welding ever since. Today Wolfram Inert Gas welding is a widely used welding procedure in many industrial processes; although other than welding specialists many people do not know of this welding type.

Advantages of Wolfram Inert Gas

The advantages of using a Wolfram electrode and carrying out WIGW are great, it is for this reason it is used in large industrial welding practices. The advantages of Wig over standard Tig welding types are:

• Increased quality of weld that is formed because of the Wolfram electrode
• Reduced chance of spillage from the weld
• Reduced slag forming due to less cavities forming in the weld
• Higher performance without the requirement for additive substances

What type of welding procedures is Wolfram Inert Gas welding used for?

Wolfram Inert Gas welding is most commonly used for welding heat resistant alloys and rust resistant steels. This means that in general Wolfram Inert Gas Welding is mostly seen in welding pressure tanks and pipes.

Who can carry out WIGW?

To carry out Wig Welding you have to be a certified welder, this requires training and certification. In the United States welders who wish to carry out Wolfram Inert Gas welding require certification up to the level of DIN EN 287-1 and AD-HP3.

Summary

Wig Welding is a gas tungsten arc welding form of welding that carries the full name Wolfram Inert Gas Welding (Wig Welding is an abbreviation). The welding type gets its name from the Wolfram electrode used on the welding torch; this electrode improves the overall quality of the weld and is generally used in welding heat resistant alloys and rust resistant steel.

To carry out Wolfram Inert Gas welding you need to be a certified welder. As with all welding there is a health and safety requirement to be certified due to the heat and brightness generated from the welder.