TIG and MIG – Difference in Welding Types
Welding is an essential process in most fabrication jobs, with applications in both heavy and light metal fabrication. Different energy sources are used for welding, with a variety of available techniques. Until the end of the 19th century, forge welding was the only method used, but later processes, such as arc welding, have since been developed. Modern methods use gas flame, electric arc, lasers, electron beam, friction and even ultrasound to join materials and have applications in industries such as mining plant and equipment. Two commonly used welding techniques are TIG and MIG welding – this blog will look to discuss their individual characteristics, pros and cons and uses in different areas.
TIG Welding – An Overview
TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. This method of welding uses a non-consumable electrode, made of tungsten, to run a high-powered current through the metals being joined, and bond them permanently. One of the main differences between TIG and MIG welding is that TIG welding does not always use a “filler metal” – a wire that is melted to help join two objects together. MIG welding always uses some kind of filler, while most TIG welding projects do not. This means that TIG welding usually requires a hotter operating temperature to work correctly, as both pieces of metal must be welded at extremely hot temperatures. TIG welding is usually a better choice for joining thinner, more delicate pieces of metal. Thin metal is much easier to weld without a filler, and TIG welding will provide a more seamless, beautiful result in steel fabrication. TIG welding also provides a stronger overall bond than MIG welding, because it physically bonds both pieces of metal to one another without the addition of a large volume of filler material.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Some advantages of TIG welding are a precise finish is obtained, no filler materials are required and it is cleaner and better for the environment. A few cons are also present such as it is more expensive, more time consuming and difficult and requires a completely clean welding surface.
What is MIG Welding?
MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. All MIG welders utilize a metal wire, which is used as a filler material to help bond metal objects. As the MIG welder operates, this wire is continuously melted, and bonds to each object that is being welded together. This makes MIG welding a much better choice for thick pieces of steel. Thicker metals cannot be heated up quickly enough by TIG welding, so they require some kind of filler material in order to be joined properly. For heavy steel fabrication companies, MIG welding is usually recommended, due to its ability to join thick metals very quickly. However, MIG welding is often not quite as seamless and attractive as TIG welding, making it a poor choice in areas where aesthetic perfection is desired.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
MIG welding has quite a few pros such as having a shorter join time than TIG welding, being less expensive , it creating a more accurate bond and also producing a clean, maintenance-free weld. Some disadvantages are it is not quite as strong as TIG welding, requires an expert welder to be effective, cannot usually be performed outdoors and it produces heavy smoke, fumes and sparks.
Final Words
As can be observed, both TIG and MIG welding have different characteristics and features in the fabrication industry. TIG is a more delicate process and hence, it consumes more resources such as heat and energy. MIG involves the use of filler materials and is not as precise. With multiple techniques and products in the sheet metal fabrication industry, TIG and MIG welding techniques stand out for their versatility and ubiquity in different sectors!