For Titanium welding applications, it is paramount to prevent any oxidation or discolouration from forming on or adjacent to the weld.

This is particularly true for the Aerospace industry, where the need for good, strong welds is critical.

When welding larger Titanium structures that cannot be placed in Welding Chambers or Enclosures, to give additional argon gas shield coverage during welding, a 'Trailing Shield' can be fitted to the welding torch.

This ensures that the hot weld zone is shielded with Argon for a longer period, than if it were shielded with the torch nozzle gas only.

The extra inert gas shielding gives time for the metal to cool, below the temperature at which it would oxidise. The improved shielding produces an oxide free weld that is stronger and free from joint fatigue and damage by oxides and nitrides.

Leading British welding ancillaries manufacturer Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd (HFT) manufactures a wide range of trailing shields to fit any make of TIG (GTAW or Plasma (PAW) welding torch for Manual or Automatic welding.

Trailing shield models are available for Robotic welding where the shields are wider and longer for greater welding speeds that are possible with manual welding. They also have additional gas hoses, for even more gas shielding for the faster welding speeds encountered with automatic welding techniques.

The shields are designed for welding flat sheet metalwork and for every diameter of tube pipe or vessel from 1" upwards.

Standard models fit manual welding torches, while special versions for Automatic welding machines are wider and longer for faster welding and wider joint coverage