TIG Welder Consumables

TIG welding consumables come in a variety of types and sizes, dependant on the type of material you’re welding and its size (thickness). Then there’s the individual differences. i.e. If you’re purchasing back caps, they can be supplied as small, medium or long.

The consumables can also be split into three distinct groups:

  • Filler Wire (or Rods).
  • TIG Torch Parts and Accessories.
  • Shielding Gas.

Note:

TIG Welding Consumables
TIG Welding Consumables

Topics on this Page:


TIG Welding Consumables (General Information):

There are many parameters you need to consider when buying TIG consumables.

TIG Consumables - Gas Cups, Gas Nozzles & Collets - The Same Size, But Different Types:
TIG Consumables – Gas Cups, Gas Nozzles & Collets – The Same Size, But Different Types:
  • The type of material(s) to be welded.
  • The thickness of the material to be welded.
  • The filler rods and their compatibility.
  • The type of welded joint.
  • The different variations of the interchangeable ‘consumable’ parts (and do they fit the torch?).

TIG Welding – Material Thickness, Current, Consumable Sizes (A rough guide):

TIG Welding – Consumable Cross Reference Guide1
Material Thickness Amps Size (mm)
mm Inch Gauge DC AC Filler Rod Tungsten Gas Cup
0.50 1/64 24 5-20 5-15 1.02 1-1.6 3-5
0.65 1/32 22 10-35 10-30 1.02 1-1.6 3-5
0.80 1/32 20 20-50 25-45 1.02 1-1.6 4-5
1.00 3/64 18 25-80 45-60 1.0 1-1.6 4-5
1.30 3/64 16 40-90 50-100 1.0 1.6 4-6
1.60 1/16 14 60-100 50-100 1.6 1.6 4-6
2.40 3/32 11 85-125 90-150 1.6-2.4 1.6 4-6
3.20 1/8 100-135 125-190 1.6-2.4
2.4 4-6
4.00 5/32 125-175  180-200  2.4 2.4 5-7
4.80 3/16 150-225 180-240 3.2 2.4 7-8
This is only a guide, please refer to the manufacturers data sheets.

Reference:

  • 1 Due to the many different parameters (the type of material, its size, the type of joint, etc, etc), the table above should be considered as a very rough guide:
  • 2 Tig filler rods are generally sold in sizes from 1.0mm and upwards (aluminium 1.6mm). If you want a smaller size wire, MIG wire is often used.

Notes:

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s warnings, instructions, and their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Welding fumes and dust can affect your health.

Which Consumables Fit my TIG Torch?

There range of consumables can be purchased in different sizes, configurations, types and for different materials! Therefore, it’s important to know which parts you want. The links below give more detailed information on all the different types of part (consumables) available and the various different configurations…

As an illustration:

TIG Torch Fittings Thread – Gas Cups (Nozzles) to Collet Body to Torch
Cooled by: TIG Torch Ceramic Cup (Nozzle) Thread Collet Body to
Torch Thread
Type1 Group Standard2 Stubby2
Air WP-17 A 13/32 UNS 3/4 UNF 3/8″ UNF
Air WP-26
Water WP-18
Air WP-9 B 3/8″ UNF 9/16 UNF 5/16″ UNF
Water WP-20

This is only a guide, please refer to the manufacturers data sheets…
1 Manufacturers may use a different code, sometimes replacing the first two letters with their own combination.
2 There may be differences dependant on the gas nozzle fitted.


The Different Consumables (In more detail):

The topics listed below, will hopefully make it easier to understand what the differences are between the various TIG welding consumables, and make it easier to obtain the correct items for the job in hand.

The three distinct groups of TIG consumables: (links open in a new tab)…

TIG Torch (Gun) Consumables
TIG Torch (Gun) Consumables

1. TIG Filler Wire (or Rods):

2. TIG Torch Parts and Accessories (Consumables):

3. TIG Shielding Gas:

TIG Filler Rods (Filler Wire)

TIG Welding Consumables - Filler Rods (Wire) - 1.6mm Silicon Bronze (Featured Image)
Topics: The Different Types of TIG Filler Rods (An Overview):TIG Wire Rod (Filler Wire) Sizes:Image Gallery: The Different Types of TIG Filler Rods (An Overview): As with all the other […]

TIG Shielding Gas:

TIG Consumables - Argon Gas (Featured Image)
Welding gases provide a shield around the welding arc to prevent oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen (contained in the air around us) from affecting the quality of the weld. Topics: The […]

TIG Tungsten Electrodes:

TIG Welding Tungsten Electrodes (Featured Image)
Tungsten electrodes come in a variety of types and sizes. Which Tungsten electrode you use, may be dependant on what you want to weld? Here is a list of the […]

TIG Gas Cup:

TIG Consumables - Gas Cups (Featured Image)
TIG Gas Cups – Names Used: Consumable Names Used TIG Gas Cup Gas Cup Ceramic Cup Shroud Cup Nozzle1 1 The name ‘Nozzle’ is sometimes used incorrectly. It’s more of […]

TIG Heat Shield (Insulator):

TIG Welding Consumables - Torch Heat Shield (Featured Image)
The TIG insulator (heat shield) often gets overlooked. But it is often designed to match the type of ceramic cup being fitted. You can use different insulators with different types […]

TIG Collet Body (Gas Lens):

TIG Consumables - Gas Nozzles (Featured Image)
The shielding gas exits the collet body (or gas lens) and fills the gas cup (nozzle) that screws onto the collet body. TIG Collet Body – Names Used: Consumable Names […]

TIG Collets:

TIG Welding Collets - (Featured Image)
A collet holds the Tungsten electrode. When you screw on the back cap, it pushes the collet against the gas nozzle, which squeezes the collet jaws. This makes a good […]

TIG O’Rings:

TIG Back Cap, Gas Cup & Gas Nozzle O'Rings (Featured Image)
TIG torch o’rings, are normally found in two places: Topics: TIG Torch O’Ring Properties & Temperature Range: The Viton type o’ring appears to be the most durable type, due to […]

TIG Back Caps:

TIG Welding Gun - Back Caps (Featured Image)
A TIG back cap is an insulator and: Topics: TIG Back Cap Sizes: Back caps typically come in 3 sizes (related to their length): A new Tungsten electrode is normally […]

TIG Welding Gun (Torch) Parts:

TIG Torch (Gun) Consumables
A TIG gun (torch) can have various interchangeable parts fitted. These interchangeable parts (along with the TIG welder controls), enable you to weld a variety of materials, and their different […]

– click or tap the image to view full size –