Activated TIG Welding Flux (A-TIG)
A pasty or powdery auxiliary applied to the joint flanks prior to TIG welding to drastically increase penetration by influencing the Marangoni convection current.
Activated TIG powder (A-TIG) is applied thinly and evenly to the weld edges before welding. This stuff significantly increases penetration because it reverses the flow in the weld pool and pulls the heat deeper into the material. This allows you to weld thicker plates in one pass or simplify joint preparation, saving time and filler material. But be careful not to apply too much powder and keep the layer clean and dry. Overdosing or too much heat makes the pool too fluid and it runs away, causing undercut or flow defects. In practice: first test on clean, grease-free base material, adjust powder amount and welding speed until penetration is right. The powder is not a cure-all, but if dosed correctly, you get a clean, deep root without rework.