Welding is probably one of the most powerful creative manufacturing techniques ever developed. The heat, the sparks, the process of manipulating some of the toughest materials – it's no wonder the interest in them remains immortal, despite more than a century of practice.
Because of the many projects to practice welding with, you can find plenty of options when it comes to whichever method you choose.
Four types of welding
Welding was invented as early as 1881. Since then, this practice has grown in popularity and four different types have been developed.
1. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or MIG welding
This technique, also known as metal inert gas welding, uses a consumable wire that acts as an electrode and filler at the same time. A supply of inert gas is also used to heat and melt the components to bond them together. MIG Welding Experts provides detailed summaries of MIG welding equipment and how to use it. MIG welding is the most commonly practiced method of the four. After all, it's the easiest to learn, has high electrode efficiency, and minimal cleaning. It's also a favorite among DIY enthusiasts. Anyway, it's not perfect. This technique allows only a limited number of welding positions and cannot weld thick materials. A quality MIG welder also requires quite an investment.
2. Gas-tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as TIG welding
Gas-tungsten arc welding or tungsten-inert gas welding involves the use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode to heat the welding materials. You can use it with or without a filler, but like MIG welding, a supply of inert gas is required to generate the heat. TIG welding is not practiced as often by DIY welders as MIG welding. However, that doesn't mean it's any less popular. Instead, it is because this method involves a more complicated technique that can take time and extensive training to master. TIG welding is also a slower process that can be very resource-intensive. With a lot of specialist knowledge, higher quality results are achieved. The finished product is typically more durable and more aesthetically pleasing. TIG welding can also handle harder materials. It is more commonly used for stainless steel and can also pick up magnesium, aluminum and other metals.
3. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Also known as rod welding, SMAW uses an electrical current to create the arc required to weld materials together. It generates an average heat of 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this, it is suitable for larger projects where more permanent results are required, e.g. B. for the repair and construction of heavy equipment. Shielded metal arc welding is a popular choice for industrial level welders, especially because of the portability and low cost of the machine. In contrast to the other welding methods, no shielding gas is required. This means that regardless of the weather conditions, you can easily use it outdoors. You can also use this welding technique on corroded materials where other types of weld may not produce adequate results. This type of welding has several disadvantages. First, it takes some time to master. You can also not use it for welding thin materials. Finally, the process required can be painfully slow, especially for those used to fast welding techniques.
4. Flux core arc welding (FCAW)
The fourth and last method is very similar to MIG welding. The basic elements are the same where a consumable electrode is used to generate the required heat. However, instead of a solid wire, this technique uses a tubular wire with flux instead. Flux-core arc welding can also be divided into two sub-types depending on which wire is used and whether an external shielding gas is required. The first type where you use social cables does not require an external shielding gas, so it can be used outdoors even on windy days. On the other hand, the other sub-type called double shield welding requires external shielding gas. This allows enough heat to be generated to weld structural steel. In fact, this is one of the reasons this method was developed in the first place. As with the other techniques we discussed, it also has its drawbacks. For example, it produces more smoke compared to other welding methods. This makes it more difficult to produce an accurate weld due to the lack of visibility.
Which is the best welding technique?
There are four types of welding: gas-metal arc welding (or metal-inert gas welding), gas-tungsten-arc gas welding (or tungsten-inert gas welding), protective metal arc welding, and flux-arc welding. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. In all honesty, there is no better method than the other. It just boils down to the welding techniques you master, the specific needs of your projects and materials, and the equipment that is most accessible to you.
