Exactly What’s The Difference Between Mig And Tig Welding?

Here’s a concern that a lot of people ask: What’s the distinction between MIG and TIG welding?

A little confusion is completely regular. Both processes use electrical arcs to produce heat and sign up with metallic items. Likewise, both processes utilise an inert gas mix to prevent deterioration of welding electrode.

But, there are some essential distinctions in between these 2 electrical arc welding processes:

How Each Process Functions

MIG, or metal inert gas, welding is a process that involves continually feeding a metal wire into the weld being made. The wire functions as a filler product to help join the two metal items.

TIG, or tungsten inert gas, welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to run a current through the metals being joined and may or may not utilise a filler metal.

Viability for Welding Thicker Metal Things

Because MIG welding employs a consumable filler material to make welds, it can typically finish welds of thicker metal things in less time than a TIG weld.

Without a filler product, TIG welding has to get the pieces of metal being bonded hot enough to form a bond with each other. Usually, this is easier with thinner pieces of metal than with thicker ones.

In general, for really thick, durable welds, MIG welding is the go-to alternative. For thinner pieces of metal, TIG welding has the tendency to be the more efficient solution.

Ease of Control

Typically speaking, MIG welding is more frequently advised for ease of use. The process has the tendency to be a bit more flexible of errors than TIG welding is– so it’s typically advised for newbie operators and non-professionals.

TIG welding, on the other hand, needs really rigorous control over the timing, pressure, and electrical existing used in the weld. For the most parts, TIG welding is best done utilising an automated, computer system numerically-controlled (CNC) welding machine. Devices can reliably carry out identical welds over and over far more quickly than a manual welder could.

When utilising an automated welder (whether it’s MIG or TIG), it’s important to get the weld settings and controls perfect– otherwise, you risk duplicating the same mistake over and over.

Which One is Better?

The response depends on the task in question. As noted previously, MIG welding is usually better for sturdy welding work where bigger, thicker pieces of metal are being signed up with because it utilises filler material.

However, TIG welding can work marvels for joining smaller sized pieces of metal, such as the wires for a custom steel wire basket. Due to the fact that the TIG process straight joins two pieces of metal, there’s no filler material to fail.

With robotic welding equipment, TIG welding can be a bit lower-maintenance, because the welding electrode isn’t being continuously consumed by the welding procedure. The welding electrode still needs to be appropriately cleaned up and polished in between usages especially 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 committed to having a variety of tools and innovations for completing welds.