Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, including the high frequency pulsed variant, and keyhole plasma welding have been used to manufacture aircraft engine parts for many years. Reduced spatter Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is also being investigated by the industry.
Higher productivity welding techniques are under investigation, but still with the highest levels of quality as a requirement. The use of thinner gauge Ti and Ni alloys is also pushing the aircraft engine industry to ensure high quality welds can be made with lower levels of heat input.
TWI is at the forefront of process development, and works closely with the major equipment and consumable manufacturers. A GSP comparing and contrasting several arc welding techniques for welding of titanium was recently completed for a range of aerospace customers.
TWI is regularly asked to give independent, impartial advice on how an arc welding process can be modified to give the highest quality and productivity levels.
Core Research and Group Sponsored Project work have recently been completed on the arc welding of Ti and Ni alloys. A number of confidential projects for TWI Industrial Members have also been conducted.
For more information, please email contactus@twi.co.uk.