What type of welding uses a non-consumable electrode?

• A. MIG welding
• B. TIG welding
• C. SMAW welding
• D. Submerged Arc Welding

Answer: (B)

TIG welding, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), is characterized by the use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The tungsten electrode provides a stable arc and is not melted during the welding process, which distinguishes TIG from other forms of welding that utilize consumable electrodes that are melted to create the weld joint.

This non-consumable feature allows TIG welding to achieve a high level of precision and control, making it ideal for welding thin materials and for applications that require a clean, strong, and aesthetically pleasing weld. The shielding gas, typically argon or helium, protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination, further contributing to the quality of the weld.

In contrast, MIG welding utilizes a consumable wire that serves both as the electrode and the filler material, while SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) involves a consumable electrode that melts during the process. Submerged Arc Welding also employs a consumable electrode with the added feature of being submerged under a layer of granular flux, which shields the arc from contamination. Therefore, the distinctive use of a non-consumable electrode in TIG welding is what makes it the correct answer in this context.