What happens to the shielding gas in an air cooled torch?

In an air-cooled torch used for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), the shielding gas primarily serves to protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination during the welding process. However, it does not directly cool the torch itself; instead, the cooling of the torch is achieved through airflow and the design of the torch, which allows heat to dissipate into the surrounding air. The safe and effective delivery of shielding gas serves to create a stable and controlled atmosphere around the molten metal, which is essential for producing a high-quality weld.

While the shielding gas is critical for preventing contamination of the weld pool, it is not discarded or melted; nor does it interact with the electrodes in a way that would compromise their integrity. Understanding the role of shielding gas is fundamental in GTAW, as it contributes to the overall quality and characteristics of the weld produced.