PAW WELDING - PLASMA WELDING TECHNOLOGY.

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Folks…Plasma Welding is not TIG! Do not treat the Plasma Welding Torch as a TIG Torch. The Geometry of the Plasma Welding Torch components are set to a very tight tolerance. Altering the Geometry in anyway will result in damage and/or failure of the torch and poor welds.

Coolant Systems – Do not use TIG Water Coolers! TIG coolers are not built with components that resist corrosion or have the cooling capacity required for plasma welding. The coolant reservoir may state noncorrosive but will leach contaminates into the coolant that is conductive. In TIG applications this does not matter. Water coolers such as would be used for Plasma Cutting or Laser are recommended. An example would be the Dynaflux R2000.

Coolant system rated IEC standard cooling capacity is based on a 25° Celsius (77° F) environment at a flow of one liter per minute with a 40° Celsius (72° F) coolant temperature rise.

Torch Coolant – Never use TIG Coolant or tap water. Always use Coolant intended for Plasma Welding or Plasma Cutting Water cooled systems. The resistance of the coolant must be within the Acceptable Green range. See Chart below.

Damage and failure of the torch will occur if Coolant is in the Red Not Acceptable range.

We recommend a De-ionized water Propylene Glycol mixtures. This nonconductive mix with added Propylene Glycol improves heat transfer from the torch. The Propylene Glycol is also biodegradable making it environmentally safe.

Electrode – Do not under any circumstances grind the Tungsten Electrode by hand on a bench grinder. Damage or failure of the torch will occur. The diameter and angle of the Tungsten Electrode point Geometry must match precisely the inside Geometry of the Welding TIP and be perfectly centered. Always use factory ground Tungsten Electrodes.

Tungsten Electrode quality is paramount with the diameter tolerance less than +/- .005”. 2% Thoriated is preferred, Lanthanated, ceriated, Zirconiated, Rare Earth Mix are acceptable but may have reduced lifetime. Do not use Pure Tungsten!

Gas supply options – Always use two dedicated Supplies. One supply for Plasma Gas and one supply for the shield Gas. Each supply with their own Pressure Regulator set to 40 psi. Never use Regulator/Flowmeters and never “Y” off one regulator.