Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode?

The process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode is Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). In this method, the tungsten electrode creates an arc between the electrode and the workpiece, generating enough heat to melt the base metals and allow for fusion. Since the tungsten is non-consumable, it does not melt or get used up during the welding process, which allows for better control over the weld pool and higher precision in welding applications.

GTAW is particularly valued in situations where high-quality welds are crucial, such as in aerospace, pipework, and industries dealing with exotic metals since it provides clean, strong welds with minimal contamination. The non-consumable nature of the tungsten electrode helps maintain a stable arc and prevents the addition of unwanted materials into the weld.

In contrast, the other welding processes mentioned involve consumable electrodes or filler materials. For instance, GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) and FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) both use consumable electrodes that melt away and contribute to the weld, while SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) involves a consumable electrode as well which literally melts into the weld puddle.