Protective Gear for TIG Welding

April is National Welding Month and at PIP®, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the hard-working welders who shape the backbone of various industries across the country.

If you’re familiar with welding, you’ve likely heard the terms heliarc welding, tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) or gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). For those less familiar, these are terms used for what is commonly referred to as TIG welding. While we won’t dive too deep into the process, we’ll cover the key aspects of TIG welding, and most importantly, how proper protection plays a crucial role, especially in hand protection.

Understanding TIG Welding

What sets TIG welding apart from MIG and Stick welding is the need to use both hands – and even a foot pedal. One hand holds the TIG torch with a tungsten electrode, while the other manually feeds a thin filler metal rod into the welding pool. At the same time, the foot controls a pedal that adjusts amperage, with higher amperage generating more heat.

TIG welding is considered the most challenging type of welding to master. Unlike MIG welding, where the filler metal is automatically fed through a welding gun, TIG welding demands precise hand-eye coordination and careful amperage control. However, it also produces less heat, minimizing sparkers, spatter, smoke and fumes – especially when working with clean metal. This makes TIG welding ideal for applications requiring precise, high-quality welds, such as those on aesthetic surfaces that will later be painted.

 Essential PPE for TIG Welding

Now that we have a general understanding of TIG welding, let’s discuss the essential personal protective equipment (PPE) welders rely on.

1. Welding Helmets

Just like other types of welding, TIG welding requires a welding helmet. Helmets have evolved significantly since their introduction in the 1930s. The biggest advancement detects an arc and darkens the lens to protect the eyes from harmful infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Modern helmets not only provide IR and UV protection, but also thermal and electrical insulation, often designed to be self-extinguishing or noncombustible.

2. Hand Protection

Gloves are another critical piece of PPE. Since TIG welding produces lower heat levels compared to other types of welding, TIG gloves are typically thinner and more flexible, prioritizing dexterity and tactile sensitivity over heat protection. This is essential for welders, as they need a high degree of “feel” to manipulate the thing filler rod with precision.

TIG welding requires hand movements similar to those of a surgeon – precise and controlled. Many welders even size down their gloves for a snug fit, ensuring minimal resistance to hand movements.

Materials & Design

Goat grain leather is the most commonly used material for TIG gloves because it is thin yet durable, offering both flexibility and resilience. While other leathers such as kidskin, deer split, sheep grain and cow grain leather can provide similar characteristics, more than 90% of TIG welding gloves on the market are made from goat grain leather.

Advancements

TIG gloves have evolved significantly in recent years. Traditional unlined designs like the Ironcat® 6141, made from top-grain kidskin leather and sewn with Kevlar® thread, remain popular. However, newer gloves now incorporate cut-resistant liners, like the Ironcat® 6144 with an ANSI/ISEA cut level A4 liner. While TIG welding itself doesn’t pose major cut hazards, pre- and post-welding tasks, such as handling raw sheet metal, can present risks.

Additional innovations include:

• 3D ergonomic patterns that enhance fit, comfort and dexterity
• Reinforced patches along the side of the gloves to increase durability when welders drag their hands along metal surfaces
• Strategic seam placement to move seams away from high-wear areas, improving longevity
  
  The Caiman® 1541 integrates 3D patterns thru the proprietary Kontour® technology, an A5 cut-resistant liner and reinforced seams for enhanced protection and comfort.

As welding gloves continue to improve, these advancements provide valuable benefits for welders, helping them work with greater precision and safety. To explore more about multi-task welding gloves, check out our previous blog, What Are Multi-Task Welding Gloves?

3. Garments

Unlike other welding processes, TIG welding produces minimal heat, sparks and spatter. As a result, heavy leather welding jackets are generally unnecessary and can even be restrictive. Instead, TIG welders often opt for flame-resistant (FR) cotton jackets. The traditional green 9oz FR cotton jacket is the common choice, though new designs offer improved comfort with better fabric softness and enhanced design features, such as the Caiman® 3000.

Additionally, many TIG welders prefer FR long-sleeve shirts or hoodies over traditional welding jackets. These garments provide adequate protection while allowing for greater freedom of movement and comfort.

Wrap Up

TIG welding is challenging. It requires a lot of skill and precision, and the weld must often be visually pleasing. These artisans and craftsmen need their gloves and garments to perform at a high level, just like they do, not make their jobs more difficult. There’s a wide variety of PPE on the market – some provide adequate protection but lack performance and comfort, while others, from trusted brands like Caiman® and Ironcat®, enhance safety, comfort and fit. Just like any other tool, some barely get the job done, while others make the job easier.

Need expert advice on the best welding protection? Contact us to learn more!