Selecting the right tools is always important to get the job done. And when talking about welding, choosing the proper procedure is as important as using the tools themselves. Welding is crucial. Hence, doing the wrong technique can result in numerous problems from weaker bonds to corrosion of the welded joint.
So in this entry, we are going to know more about MIG welding and TIG welding and determine when of these welding techniques should be used to produce the desired result.
Explaining MIG And TIG Welding Procedures
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) are types of arc welding procedures that use inert gas, which explains their given names. The only difference between these 2 techniques is the way the weld is produced.
In MIG, a welding rod or wire acts a filler material and is continuously fed to form a bond. In short, the rod is melted by electric current and is filled in between the area where the 2 surface material is to be welded together.
On the other hand, TIG makes use of a non-consumable electrode and very hot temperatures to join 2 metals together.
Overall, MIG melts the electrode to form a weld while TIG relies mainly on heat to create a bond between 2 materials.
And since MIG welding uses a filler material, it’s often recommended for welding thick metals it does not require heating the metal all throughout. Likewise, the use of a filler material makes it even easier to control where the weld should take place as compared to TIG welding. And while MIG makes it possible to weld 2 different types of metal, it is generally advised by experts to avoid welding dissimilar metals as much as possible.
As for TIG welding, allows a much cleaner weld but will also require an excellent level of precision from the welder.
When To Use MIG or TIG?
So when talking about MIG welding Vs. TIG welding and when should one technique be used over the other, here are some things to consider:
The Thickness Of The Materials To Be Welded
Thicker metals can’t be welded simply by heating as the thicker the materials, the more energy is required to achieve a good weld. So it’s recommended to use MIG when working with thick materials.
The Types Of Metals To Be Welded
Some situations may require you to bond 2 different types of metal. And while this process often not recommended as it may result in weaker bonds and weld corrosion, we still recommend that you go for MIG when the situation calls for joining dissimilar metals together provided that the proper filler material is also used.
The Conductivity Of The Materials To Be Bonded
Electric conductivity also plays a role in which welding technique to use. If the metal is electrically-resistant, then it can be easily bonded without a filler material. Hence, TIG welding is suggested in this case.
But if the material is highly ductile, then we recommend using MIG welding as working with flexible materials require more heat and energy to achieve a proper weld.
Smoothness
And finally when choosing between MIG welding Vs. TIG welding, you also need to look into the smoothness of the surface you’ll be working on.
If the surface requires to be smooth after welding, then TIG is recommended as it results in a much cleaner weld. MIG is not advisable in these situations at it creates weld splatter which will then require extra work form your part to smoothen out the surface again.
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