What type of welding process uses a non-consumable electrode?

TIG welding, or Tungsten Inert Gas welding, employs a non-consumable electrode. In this process, the electrode itself, made of tungsten, does not melt during welding; instead, it serves as a source of heat to melt the base metals being joined. The process utilizes a shielding gas, typically argon or helium, to protect the weld pool from contamination by atmospheric gases.

The use of a non-consumable electrode in TIG welding allows for precise control over the heat and the weld pool, making it an ideal choice for applications that require high-quality welds, such as in the aerospace and automotive industries. This level of control contributes to the cleanliness and integrity of the weld, as the tungsten electrode does not introduce additional material that could affect the joint's properties.

In contrast, other welding processes mentioned, such as MIG welding, flux-cored arc welding, and stick welding, utilize consumable electrodes. These electrodes provide filler material that becomes part of the weld joint, differing fundamentally from the approach taken in TIG welding.