Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is the process of blending together reactive metals such as magnesium and aluminum. The TIG welding method became popular and useful in the early 1940s and, as a result, has greatly propelled the use of aluminum for welding and structural processes. TIG welding is commonly used for both high quality and manual welding. 
During the process of TIG welding, an arc is formed between a pointed tungsten electrode and the area to be welded. As a result of the gas shield, a clean weld is formed. This prevents oxidization from occurring.

   The type of gas shielding typically used for TIG welding is argon, helium, or a combination of both. When combined, these two gases can ensure a higher welding speed and welding penetration. Argon is the preference of most welders when it comes to TIG welding. It is often used simply because it is heavier than air and provides better coverage when welding.
With TIG welding, one can perform a variety of weld types on several different metals. Steel and aluminum, however, are the two most widely used metals. The filler rod is another important aspect of TIG welding. Usually made from the same material as the base metal, it is used for reinforcing joints and welding heavy metals.

   There are several different types of joints designed for use with TIG welding. These include the butt joint, lap joint, corner joint and -joint. The butt joint can be welded without the assistance of a filler rod. With this type of joint, two pieces of metal are joined together along the seams. With a lap joint, the top edge is welded to the bottom piece in an area between the two overlapping metals. A corner joint involves welding one piece of metal at a right angle to the edge of a second piece of metal in order to form a corner. To create a t-joint, a filler rod is necessary. The t-joint is created by placing one piece of metal perpendicular to another piece of metal to form a T shape. This type of TIG welding is done along either side of the perpendicular seam.