Here’s a concern that a lot of individuals ask: What’s the distinction between MIG and TIG welding?
A little confusion is perfectly typical. Both processes utilise electrical arcs to produce heat and sign up with metallic things. Both procedures use an inert gas mix to avoid rust of welding electrode.
There are some key distinctions between these 2 electrical arc welding procedures:
How Each Process Functions
MIG, or metal inert gas, welding is a process that includes continually feeding a metal wire into the weld being made. The wire acts as a filler material to assist sign up with the two metal objects.
TIG, or tungsten inert gas, welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to run a current through the metals being joined and might or may not use a filler metal.
Viability for Welding Thicker Metal Objects
Because MIG welding utilises a consumable filler product to make welds, it can often finish welds of thicker metal items in less time than a TIG weld.
Without a filler material, TIG welding needs to get the pieces of metal being welded hot enough to form a bond with each other. Generally, this is much easier 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 reliable service.
Ease of Control
Usually speaking, MIG welding is regularly advised for ease of use. The process has the tendency to be a bit more forgiving of errors than TIG welding is– so it’s typically suggested for first-time operators and non-professionals.
TIG welding, on the other hand, needs extremely strict control over the timing, pressure, and electric current used in the weld. TIG welding is best done utilising an automated, computer system numerically-controlled (CNC) welding device. Makers can dependably perform similar welds over and over much more easily than a manual welder could.
When using an automated welder (whether it’s MIG or TIG), it is necessary to obtain the weld settings and controls just right– otherwise, you risk repeating the same mistake over and over.
Which One is Better?
The answer depends upon the job in question. As noted earlier, MIG welding is usually better for heavy-duty welding work where bigger, thicker pieces of metal are being joined because it uses filler product.
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 procedure straight joins two pieces of metal, there’s no filler product to stop working.
With robotic welding devices, TIG welding can be a bit lower-maintenance, since the welding electrode isn’t being continuously taken in by the welding process. Nevertheless, the welding electrode still needs to be appropriately cleaned up and polished between usages– especially when welding stainless steel.
Simply put, picking one welding service as the best need 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 finishing welds.
