Atomic Hydrogen Welding

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Atomic Hydrogen Welding (AHW), seems to have been phased out on the 60's, but was a pretty neat process.In a similar fashion to a dual carbon arc torch, two tungsten electrodes were held in a special holder, and then tapped together to start an AC arc between them. Hydrogen gas then flowed over the tungstens, and through the arc, where it absorbed energy and transformed from diatomic (H²) to atomic (H) hydrogen. This atomic Hydrogen then reverts back into diatomic hydrogen some distance after leaving the arc, and releases quite a lot of energy at once. That energy is what is used to melt the metal. I have seen a couple threads on the practical machinist forum talking about using either an ac capable transformer SMAW welding machine, or plasma cutter, as the basis of a diy AHW machine, but the conversation usually stalled after getting to the very high voltage that was apparently needed to start the arc and ignite the hydrogen (300 volts). I don't see why such a high voltage is needed to start this process honestly. I can draw an arc between the carbons on a dual carbon arc torch just fine with my machine's measly 69 volts of ocv, and I bet the arc is hot enough to ignite the hydrogen as well. Is there some fundamental difference between carbon and tungsten electrodes that necessitates such high voltage?I'd be especially to keen to hear from anyone who has experience with this process.SRA & IWW memberCentury 250 amp AC/DCCentury 295 amp AC
Reply:Part 1&2 of a short film on Atomic Hydrogen Welding, for anyone curious.SRA & IWW memberCentury 250 amp AC/DCCentury 295 amp AC