What type of welding process is primarily associated with pure tungsten?

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) is primarily associated with pure tungsten because this welding process specifically utilizes a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The pure tungsten electrode is capable of generating a stable arc, which is essential for achieving high-quality welds in various materials, particularly in thin sections of metals and non-ferrous alloys.

In GTAW, the pure tungsten electrode allows for precision control of the heat input, which is crucial when working with sensitive materials that can be affected by excessive heat. The process also incorporates a shielding gas, usually argon or helium, to protect the weld pool from contamination, further enhancing the quality of the weld.

This method differs significantly from the other processes mentioned, which either use consumable electrodes (such as in Gas Metal Arc Welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding) or operate under different principles (like Submerged Arc Welding, which uses a granular flux). Each of these processes has its unique features and advantages, but they do not primarily utilize pure tungsten for their welding electrodes.