Here’s a question that a great deal of individuals ask: Exactly what’s the distinction between MIG and TIG welding?
A little confusion is perfectly typical. After all, both procedures utilise electrical arcs to produce heat and join metal objects. Both processes utilise an inert gas mixture to avoid corrosion of welding electrode.
There are some essential differences in between these two electrical arc welding processes:
How Each Process Functions
MIG, or metal inert gas, welding is a process that includes constantly feeding a metal wire into the weld being made. The wire functions as a filler product to assist sign up with the two metal items.
TIG, or tungsten inert gas, welding utilises a non-consumable tungsten electrode to run a current through the metals being signed up with and may or may not utilise a filler metal.
Suitability for Welding Thicker Metal Things
Since MIG welding utilises a consumable filler product to make welds, it can typically finish welds of thicker metal objects in less time than a TIG weld.
Without a filler product, TIG welding has to get the pieces of metal being welded hot enough to form a bond with each other. Generally, this is simpler with thinner pieces of metal than with thicker ones.
Overall, for truly thick, durable welds, MIG welding is the go-to alternative. For thinner pieces of metal, TIG welding tends to be the more effective service.
Ease of Control
Usually speaking, MIG welding is regularly recommended for ease of use. The procedure has the tendency to be a bit more flexible of mistakes than TIG welding is– so it’s frequently recommended for novice operators and non-professionals.
TIG welding, on the other hand, needs extremely strict control over the timing, pressure, and electric current utilised in the weld. Most of the times, TIG welding is best done utilising an automated, computer system numerically-controlled (CNC) welding maker. Machines can dependably carry out identical welds over and over much more quickly than a manual welder could.
When utilising an automated welder (whether it’s MIG or TIG), it is necessary to obtain the weld settings and controls ideal– otherwise, you run the risk of repeating the exact same error over and over.
Which One is Better?
The response depends upon the task in question. As kept in mind earlier, MIG welding is normally better for durable welding work where bigger, thicker pieces of metal are being signed up with because it utilises filler product.
Nevertheless, TIG welding can work wonders for signing up with smaller pieces of metal, such as the wires for a custom steel wire basket. Likewise, because the TIG process straight joins 2 pieces of metal, there’s no filler material to fail.
With robotic welding equipment, TIG welding can be a bit lower-maintenance, since the welding electrode isn’t really being constantly taken in by the welding process. However, the welding electrode still has to be correctly cleaned and polished between uses– specifically when welding stainless-steel.
In other words, picking one welding option as the best ought to be done on a case-by-case basis, which is why Marlin Steel is dedicated to having a range of tools and innovations for completing welds.
