Buy TIG Welding Rods Online in Australia
TIG Welding Rod Selection — Quick Reference (AWS Designations)
TIG rod selection matches FILLER to parent material. Wrong rod = porosity, cracking, corrosion, or weld failure. AWS classification (ER prefix = electrode/rod) defines composition + properties.
| AWS Grade | Use For | Common Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| ER70S-2 (Mild Steel — Copper Coated) | General TIG welding of mild + low-alloy steels | 1.6 / 2.4 / 3.2 mm |
| ER70S-6 (Mild Steel — High Deoxidiser) | Welding over rust + mill scale, less prep required | 1.6 / 2.4 / 3.2 mm |
| ER80S-D2 (Low-Alloy Steel) | Higher-strength steels, hardenable alloys, pre-heat use | 1.6 / 2.4 mm |
| ER308L (Stainless Steel) | 304/304L stainless welding — food, pharma, general SS | 1.6 / 2.4 mm |
| ER316L (Stainless Steel — Mo-Bearing) | 316/316L stainless — marine, chemical, sanitary | 1.6 / 2.4 mm |
| ER309L (Stainless Steel) | Dissimilar metal welds — stainless to carbon steel | 1.6 / 2.4 mm |
| ER4043 (Aluminium) | General Al welding, 6xxx series — silicon for fluidity | 1.6 / 2.4 / 3.2 mm |
| ER5356 (Aluminium) | 5xxx + 6xxx series, marine grade — magnesium for strength | 1.6 / 2.4 mm |
| ERCuSi-A (Silicon Bronze) | Brazing + dissimilar metal joining — low heat | 2.4 / 3.2 mm |
Critical: Store rods clean + dry — moisture causes porosity. Match shielding gas: Steel = 100% Argon | Stainless = Ar + 2-5% H₂ or pure Ar | Aluminium = pure Ar. Tungsten electrode: GREEN (pure W) for AC Al | RED (2% thoriated) for DC steel | GOLD (1.5% lanthanated) modern universal. Brands: Bossweld. Companion: welding, welding consumables, MIG vs TIG vs Stick guide.
TIG Welding Rods (Filler Metal) for Australian Fabrication
TIG welding rods are the filler metal added to TIG welds to fill the joint, build up the weld bead, and (where dissimilar metals are joined) provide a metallurgically suitable bond. Different from the consumable-electrode processes (MIG, stick), TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and adds filler from a separate rod fed by hand into the weld pool. For Australian fabricators producing welds in steel, stainless, aluminium, and specialty alloys, the right TIG rod matched to the parent material is essential. AIMS Industrial supplies TIG welding rods from Bossweld and approved welding consumable brands.
The TIG rod grades we stock
- ER70S-2 mild steel — copper-coated mild steel for general TIG welding of mild and low-alloy steels
- ER70S-6 mild steel — higher-deoxidiser content for welding over rust and mill scale (where preparation isn't perfect)
- ER308L stainless steel — for welding 304 and 304L stainless
- ER309L stainless steel — for welding dissimilar metals (carbon to stainless) and 309 stainless parent material
- ER316L stainless steel — for welding 316 and 316L stainless; marine and chemical applications
- ER312 stainless — high-chromium for difficult-to-weld stainless and dissimilar applications
- ER4043 aluminium — silicon-content aluminium filler for general aluminium welding
- ER5356 aluminium — magnesium-content aluminium filler for higher-strength aluminium welding
- Silicon bronze and copper alloy rods — for brazing and dissimilar metal welding
Choosing the right rod
- Mild steel (general fabrication) — ER70S-2 for clean material; ER70S-6 where some surface contamination is unavoidable
- 304 stainless steel — ER308L for matching parent metal
- 316 stainless steel — ER316L for matching parent metal
- Stainless to carbon steel joints — ER309L bridges the dissimilar metals
- Aluminium 6061-T6 (general structural) — ER4043 for typical applications
- Aluminium 5052, 5083 (marine and high-strength) — ER5356 for matching strength and corrosion resistance
Match the filler rod to the parent material — wrong filler choice produces welds with poor mechanical properties or accelerated corrosion in service.
Rod diameter selection
TIG filler rod diameter is matched to the weld size and welding amperage:
- 1.6mm rod — fine welds, thin material, low amperage
- 2.4mm rod — the everyday workshop diameter for general TIG work
- 3.2mm rod — heavier welds, thicker material
- 4.0mm rod — heavy welds for production and structural work
Most workshops carry 2.4mm as the everyday rod with 1.6mm for thin material and 3.2mm for heavier work.
Where TIG welding earns its place
- Stainless steel fabrication — food-grade tanks, sanitary pipework, decorative stainless
- Aluminium welding — boat building, automotive, food-grade structures
- Thin material welding — sheet metal where MIG would burn through
- Aerospace and high-precision work — weld quality over speed
- Pipe root passes — TIG root with stick or MIG fill is common for pipe welding
- Custom and specialty fabrication — where weld appearance and quality matter
Storage
TIG filler rods don't have the moisture absorption issues of stick electrodes, but they should still be stored clean and dry. Surface contamination (oil, dirt, oxidation) on the rod transfers into the weld pool and produces weld defects. Keep rods in original packaging until use; clean any contaminated rod with acetone or solvent before welding. Aluminium rods in particular develop surface oxide that should be wiped off before use.
Brands stocked at AIMS
Bossweld covers the everyday TIG welding rod range — Australian-supplied and matched to the welding equipment commonly running in Australian workshops. Other approved welding consumable brands fill specific roles. For specialty alloys and grades, sourcing through our distribution channels covers most options.
Companion ranges at AIMS
TIG welding rods sit alongside our broader welding consumable range — see stainless steel welding rods (stick), TIG welding consumables, TIG welding accessories, and multiprocess welders for the related products.
Need help selecting TIG filler rod for specific parent material or weld application? contact our team — we'll match grade, diameter, and pack quantity to your work.
People Also Ask — TIG Welding Filler Rods
Q: What TIG welding rods does AIMS stock?
Mild steel rods (ER70S-2, ER70S-6 — general workshop), stainless steel rods (ER308L for 304, ER316L for 316, ER309L for dissimilar joining), aluminium rods (ER4043 general, ER5356 for marine/structural), copper rods, bronze brazing rods, silicon-bronze rods, and specialty alloy rods. Common diameters: 1.6mm, 2.0mm, 2.4mm, 3.2mm. Match the rod to the parent metal — wrong rod produces weak welds or galvanic corrosion. See [TIG Welding Guide](/blogs/product-guides/tig-welding-guide).
Q: ER70S-2 vs ER70S-6?
ER70S-2: triple-deoxidised mild steel rod, premium quality, suitable for slightly rusty or oily steel, excellent for TIG welding of pipe, pressure vessels, and code-compliance work. ER70S-6: higher silicon and manganese content, more aggressive deoxidisation, better for slightly contaminated parent metal, slightly more porous than S-2 in clean welding. For workshop daily TIG of mild steel: either works. For pressure vessel or code-spec work: ER70S-2 is often preferred.
Q: What rod diameter do I need?
Match rod diameter to material thickness: 1.6mm rod for material 1-2mm (sheet metal), 2.0mm for 2-4mm (light fabrication), 2.4mm for 3-6mm (general workshop), 3.2mm for 5-10mm (heavy fabrication). Larger diameter rods deposit more material per pass but require higher amperage. For root passes in pipe welding, smaller diameter rods give better control.
Q: Aluminium 4043 vs 5356 — which?
ER4043: silicon-aluminium alloy, lower melting point, easier to weld, smoother finish, slightly weaker weld (similar to parent 6xxx-series aluminium). Standard for general aluminium TIG. ER5356: magnesium-aluminium alloy, higher strength, better colour-matching for anodising, slightly harder to weld. Standard for structural/marine aluminium and 5xxx-series parent metal. For workshop general aluminium TIG: 4043. For structural and marine: 5356.
Q: How do I store TIG rods?
Original tube or sealed container — keep dry. TIG rods don't have moisture issues like MMA electrodes but contamination matters. Don't store rods loose in toolboxes where they pick up oil, grease, and dirt — contaminated rods produce contaminated welds. Wipe rods clean with acetone or alcohol before use if any visible contamination. Stainless and aluminium rods especially sensitive to surface cleanliness — fingerprints can cause weld defects.