Choosing the Right Welding Process for a Project
Welding can be used on a variety of different shapes, sizes, and types of metal. When building or repairing something, it is important to know what type of welding process is most appropriate for that task. There are three main types of welding processes: Gas Metal Arc Welding (Mig), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Tig). Each process is geared towards different sizes of material and uses a different method for fusing the metal you are working with.
Before picking a welding process, you need to assess the thickness of the material you are working with, the type of material, and where you will be working on it at.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (Mig)
Mig is probably the most common and well known type of welding. The main components of this process are the mig gun, the wire, and the shielding gas [a gas that protects the arc/weld from oxygen (which contains 75% argon 25% CO2 typically.)]. You can’t have one without the other unless you use self shielding wire instead of gas. This process shines when it’s used inside a shop with a controlled environment because there is nothing to stop the shielding gas from reaching your weld. If used outside, you would have to battle wind, which can lead to porosity (little holes that pop up in the weld) and other defects. That could mean that the weld becomes weaker, may not pass inspections, or may not fulfill the intended purpose. This, however, is less temperamental than Tig. Mig, also, is typically used on larger types of material because, unlike tig, you can’t change the heat output during the welding process. This makes welding smaller sized material more difficult.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)
Stick welding consists of two parts, the stinger and the electrode. Unlike mig, this process works well and is designed for doing things outdoors, or really anywhere. You could even stick weld underwater with the right equipment! It is used a lot on pipelines and building erection. It is also used often for the quick dirty jobs that need something patched in a hurry. The reason for this is because the electrode (the stick) has a flux coating around the outside of it that protects the weld from the environment. With it just consisting of those two parts, it also makes the process very simple and portable. This process is also geared more towards thicker material because you cannot change the amperage (how much heat is produced) during the welding process.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Tig)
The last process is Tig. This process is where you will be able to weld your smaller types of material. It consists of the tig torch, the tungsten electrode (stick) inside, shielding gas (contains 100% argon), and, in some cases, a pedal. This is the only welding process that you are capable of changing the amount of heat while the arc is going. You are able to control this with the pedal. First, as you press down, you start the arc, and you can either push down for more heat or let up for less. A good example where this process works well is on aluminum. Aluminum is a very high conductor of heat so if the joint that’s being welded is long, then you will need to either break arc or lower amps as you weld it. Which is why tig is so useful when working with this type of material. It also is another process you'd want to do in a shop or controlled environment as it uses shielding gas and is a bit temperamental with an uncontrolled environment.
