This paper aim at increasing efficiencies in the uses of arc energy by adding the ultrasonic and magnetic fields. A new welding method is developed and named as Ultrasonic-Magnetic coaxial hybrid gas tungsten arc welding (U-M-GTAW). In this paper, the effect of tungsten extension and welding current on the arc characteristics under different welding methods and the effect of different welding methods on the formation of 304 stainless steel welds were investigated. The arc shape changed

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... ntly with increasing tungsten extension, and the addition of ultrasonic waves can increase the arc energy and stiffness. As the current increases, the arc area increases, and the degree of contraction and rotation of the arc decreases. Compared to the weld penetration of GTAW, U-GTAW and M-GTAW increased by 58.6% and 11.5%, respectively, while the weld penetration of U-M-GTAW decreased slightly. Compared with the weld width of GTAW, U-GTAW increased by 97.1%, M-GTAW increased by 44.5%, and U-M-GTAW increased the most, by 123.8%.