Which welding technique primarily uses a non-consumable electrode?

The technique that primarily uses a non-consumable electrode is Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), also known as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding. In this process, a tungsten electrode is employed, which does not melt during welding and thus remains intact while providing the necessary heat to fuse the base materials together. This allows for high precision and control over the welding arc, making it suitable for applications requiring clean and high-quality welds, such as in the aerospace and automotive industries.

In contrast, other welding techniques utilize consumable electrodes. For example, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) employs a continuously fed wire electrode that melts to create the weld. Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) also uses a filler material that is consumed during the process, as does Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), which relies on a coated electrode that melts and provides both the filler material and shielding gas through its burning flux. The distinction of using a non-consumable electrode in GTAW is what sets it apart from these other welding methods.