Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding – Sheet: Stainless Steel

This unit forms part of the MCAST Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Pipe Welding (Low Carbon Steel) or (Austenitic Stainless Steel).

At the beginning of the course students are asked to select the parent metal that they wish to specialise on, that is, between the Austenitic Stainless Steel or Low Carbon Steel, for this unit always sheets/ plates are used.

Once a learner complete all the units in this course satisfactorily; that is has obtained a pass mark in the assessment and respected the 80% attendance s/he will achieve an award pegged at MQF Level 4, 11 ECVET Credits

The course is designed for those learners who are determined to obtain a qualification to work in the industry with enough skills to produce TIG Pipe joints at industry standard in a selection of positions recognized by the sector.
Technological and health and safety requirements forms an integral part of this unit and as part of the final assessment, learners are given the opportunity to describe such requirements.

This course provides progression across a range of welding processes and also progression to higher levels.

This is a 64 hrs of guided learning course. Students need to invest further hours in the course, which will include private study and home assignments.

Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

This unit is based on a series of practical exercises to produce industry standard TIG welded products in terms of performance of appearance and in terms of results following: macro section; nick-break fracture and a cupping test. This unit can be taken using ‘Low Carbon Steel’ or ‘Austenitic Stainless Steel’.

Learning Outcome 1: Carry out the essential preparation prior to the welding process

Unit Content

• Preparation of material (parent material: low carbon steel or austenitic stainless steel plate – 220 mm long by 50 mm wide minimum dimensions and by 3 mm thick. Angular and Linear misalignment acceptance is by visual inspection. Pre-settings jigs with backing purge.
• Alignment of plates before welding; Setting of welding equipment

Learning Outcome 2: Weld steel plates using single-run and multiple-run Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welds

Unit Content

• Weld from one side a butt joint in the PC horizontal position
• Weld a Tee Fillet on one side in the PD horizontal/ overhead position
• Weld a Corner Weld on the open corner of a joint in the PE overhead position
• Weld a Tee fillet on one side in the PE overhead position
• Weld from one side a butt joint in the PE overhead position
• Specific requirements to stopping and restarting the weld must be produced in the above welds.

Learning Outcome 3: Produce test samples from welded joints

Unit Content

• Cutting of welded sample to size for destructive testing requirements, polishing and etching for macro examination
• Cupping test; Nick-break Test;
• Parent material: low carbon steel plate or stainless steel – 220mm long by 50 mm wide minimum requirements by 3 mm thick. Acceptance is by visual inspection and destructive tests against the acceptance criteria specified in the marking scheme.

The following are the suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed:

Entry Requirements:

• Over 16 years old
• Satisfactory completed the MCAST Award in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Sheet/ Plate Welding – Level 3

Applicants may be called for an interview prior the commencement of the course.

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance
• An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 80% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement
• An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria AND ALSO choose to sit and pass the course assessment/s.

• Students who opt not to sit for the assessment/s or fail (the assessment/s) will however be awarded an MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfill the minimum attendance criteria as stated above.

If the student intends to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, she/he is required to sit for an assessment/s. Assessment/s are time constrained practical tests followed by testing of weld samples. To prepare test samples students are expected to grind and cut materials as necessary. However, the assessment/s is not compulsory and an applicant may choose not to sit for it.

Learners should bring their own Personal Protective Equipment and Welding Helmet.