01] Welding titanium in open air is difficult. Titanium burns, and a standard carbon-dioxide extinguisher won’t put it out. We visited Worsham Racing for an overview on welding this reactive metal.
02] The problem is that the atmosphere contaminates the weld puddle, creating impurities that weaken the joint. If the weld doesn’t have the same color as the base material then it will fail. A bluish color in titanium is not good.
03] A larger- diameter TIG torch gas lens and increased pure argon shielding gas flow helps (up to 35 cfm). Make separate tack welds in an area where wind won’t blow the argon away from the weld puddle.
04] A CK Worldwide flexible purge chamber allows you to weld reactive metals without fear of contamination by removing gases through a vacuum port and then filling the chamber with pure argon, which forces what’s left of the atmospheric gases through the top chamber port, rendering the chamber inert and ready for TIG welding.
05] Everything you need to finish the job must go in the bubble before you seal it up and render it inert. Grant Downing of Worsham Racing likes to bring extra tungsten, lots of filler rod, and a clean wire brush into the bubble to keep on welding until the part is complete.
06] A steel plate is grounded via zero-gauge cable, which runs through the wall of the chamber. This enables Grant to move the part (in this case, it’s a Top Fuel oil pan) and continue welding as long as it’s touching the plate.
07] This chamber (PN PC2000-24) measures 20x30 inches and runs about $2,000. The green hose plumbed to the bottom of the chamber is the argon-gas feed.
08] Grant says titanium requires the same welder amperage setting as chrome-moly, and he prefers a 6AL4V filler rod and red 2 percent thoriated tungsten. Gas flow should be set to 15 cfm when welding inside the chamber.
How It Works
According to TitaniumMetalSupply.com, Titanium has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel because it is a lower-density metal. This is why titanium bolts are lighter than steel bolts.
Worsham Racing Inc; Orange, California; 714.974.1394
