@Lifeofawelder

5 months ago

That's an awesome shot! ❤🎉
So yeah.. EP(Electrode positive) cycle in AC Tig welding electrons rapidly leave the workpiece flowing towards the tungsten electrode, and in the process they literally blast chunks of oxide off the surface this is what's refered to as cleaning action.
(in the video they call it etching for some reason... I might be wrong here, but I think etching is a chemical term refering to surface treatment of metals usually involves use of some sort of acid, so I believe it's inaccurate here)
On the EN(Electrode negative) cycle the electrons flow from the tungsten into the workpiece, witch heats and melts the surface forming the "puddle".

Fun fact for non welding person who made it this long reading this rant of a passionate welder:

This EP-EN switch cycle occurs 50times a second, without tweaking the 50Hz AC, but most welding machines allow to modulate the sine wave to increase, or decrease of this frequency. (So for example the switch occur 120times a second)
A feature called AC-ballance control allows the operator to tailor the EP to EN ratio on the machines. Basically lengthening the time of EP or EN side of the arc is on. For example to increase cleaning effect an EP favored setting paticularly useful, if the workpiece is "dirty" or corroded somewhat. The drawback to this is less time spent on the EN side resulting less heat, therefore less melting, shallower penetration profile or slower speed. Favouring EN result overall less cleaning (for nice new allly) but higher heat input therefore possible to achive higher welding speed and/or deeper penetration.

Hopefully they post a slow arc shot of pulse Mig too, I'd love to geek out to that too.

Pff, you made it this far? Get back to scrolling!

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