Welding metallurgy basics for cleaner, stronger TIG welds

Welding metallurgy basics are the foundation behind every flawless TIG bead. When you understand how heat input changes microstructure, why certain alloys crack while others flow, and how shielding gas purity affects oxide films, you can predict outcomes—not chase them. Everything You NEED to Know About TIG Welding distills the metallurgy that matters on the bench: heat-affected zone control, grain growth, precipitation and sensitization in stainless, hot cracking in aluminum and nickel, and how filler chemistry interacts with base metal and dilution.

Built by seasoned welders and materials specialists, this guide converts theory into repeatable settings and habits: amperage and travel speed to hit target heat input, AC balance and frequency for aluminum oxide management, backpurge strategies for stainless, and contamination control that prevents porosity. You’ll get quick decision frameworks—4043 vs 5356, 308L vs 316L, when to preheat, when to temper—and concise checklists that tighten up prep, fit-up, and post-weld cleaning. The result is consistent fusion, minimal distortion, and mechanical properties you can trust.

• Read the puddle as a phase change: tie color, fluidity, and wetting to metallurgical cues.
• Match filler, gas, and cup to alloy family to avoid hot cracking and sensitization.
• Control heat input and interpass temperature to protect HAZ toughness and corrosion resistance.