Many metal requires welding, and we may know welding requires welding wire but how to select right welding method that effect final welding result. TIG and MIG welding are two widely applied welding techniques, If you would like know the key differences between them, pls follow our below article to learn more.
What is TIG and MIG welding?
What is TIG welding
TIG welding is actually tungsten inert gas welding and is often referred to as manual argon arc welding.
TIG welding is a welding technique that uses tungsten rods (Tungsten does not melt) as electrodes, manually adds welding wire to form an arc, and continuously fills argon gas as a shielding gas during the process. When you would like to weld titanium workpieces , you should choose TIG welding and titanium welding wire. Titanium welding wire need to be continuously added to complete the welding. There are many types of titanium welding wire, including: ERTi-1, ERTi-2, ERTi-5, TRTi-7, ERTi-9, ERTI-12, etc., you need to choose the same grade titanium welding wire as titanium workpiece.
What is MIG welding
MIG welding is actually Metal Inert Gas welding. Because its electrode is a meltable metal welding wire, it is called a melting electrode. It is a welding technology that can automatically feed the welding wire, and it also needs to be filled with argon and carbon dioxide as a shielding gas during the welding process.
Advantages and disadvantages of TIG vs MIG welding
Advantages of TIG Welding
- The weld seam of TIG welding is very beautiful.
- Multiple filling materials can be selected.
- Most metal could select TIG welding technology such as titanium, stainless steel, aluminum etc.
- Disadvantages of TIG welding
- TIG welding has a slow welding speed because it requires manual addition of metal wire.
- The operation skills of TIG welding are complex. It requires experienced and highly skilled operators to complete it.
- Before performing TIG welding, you need to thoroughly clean the workpiece. The surface of the workpiece should not have impurities, stains, etc., as this will affect the welding effect.
- The price and cost of TIG welding are very high. Because the cost of TIG welding machine and argon filling is very high.
Advantages of MIG welding
- MIG welding speed is very fast because it can automatically feed the welding wire.
- MIG welding operation skills are simpler and suitable for beginners.
- MIG welding machines are cheap in price and have low welding costs.
- MIG welding technology can also complete welding at complex angles.
- Wide welding range. Can weld various metal materials with larger thicknesses.
- Disadvantages of MIG welding
- Unable to weld thinner metals.
- The weld is not strong and unattractive.
- There is a lot of splashing during welding. Need for secondary cleaning.
Application of TIG and MIG welding
The application of TIG welding
TIG welding is usually used for thinner thickness sheets and has high requirements for weld quality. It is usually used in aerospace, medical, precision instruments, pipeline welding, food equipment, artworks, stainless steel products, titanium products and other fields.
The application of MIG welding
MIG welding has a wide range of applications and is friendly to workpieces with thicker thicknesses and complex welding angles. These fields include: automobile manufacturing, construction machinery, steel structure, pressure vessel manufacturing, construction industry, etc.
The difference between TIG and MIG welding
| Characteristics | TIG Welding | MIG Welding |
| Complete name | Tungsten inert gas welding | Metal Inert Gas welding |
| Electrode | Tungsten rod (does not melt) | Metal Welding Wire (meltable) |
| Filled metal way | Add manually | The welding torch is automatically added |
| Protective gas | Inert gases (argon, helium) | Inert gases (argon, helium) |
| Operating Tips | Two-handed operation, high technical requirements | One-handed operation, relatively simple and easy to learn |
| Welding speed | Slow | Fast |
| Weld quality | The welds are of high quality and do not spatter | The weld is of high quality and may have spatter |
| Applicable materials | All metals, especially titanium, stainless steel and other metals are particularly good at welding | It is mainly suitable for steel and aluminum, but it is not good at welding metals such as titanium |
| Welding thickness | Thin or medium-heavy plates | All thicknesses, especially good at medium and heavy plates |
| Main applications | Aerospace, precision instruments, pipe welding, stainless steel products, bicycle racks, artworks and other fields | Machinery manufacturing, automobile industry, pipeline engineering, steel structure construction and other fields |
Conclusion
In general, TIG welding is more suitable for thin and light metals, and the welding effect is very beautiful and strong. MIG welding efficiency is very high, and the operation skills are simple, and welding can also be completed for complex angles. However, both are inert gas shielded welding. Both welding methods are indispensable, and no one can replace anyone, it is only up to you to choose.
We are China titanium wire factory and stock available mass titanium welding wire, if about different titanium grades titanium welding wire, welcome to contact us freely.
FAQ
Can titanium welding be done with MIG welding?
If you want to weld ordinary titanium products, such as: titanium tubes, titanium bicycle frames, titanium glasses frames, titanium chemical containers, etc., then you can choose the TIG welding method firstly.
If it is a titanium product with a thick plate structure, then you can choose MIG welding or PAW welding.
If you have titanium products in the aerospace or medical fields that need to be welded, these fields have relatively high quality requirements, usually choose EBW or LBW welding.
What kind of welding process does manual argon arc welding refer to?
Handmade argon arc welding refers to TIG welding. The TIG welding process requires manual filling of the welding wire and filling with argon gas to complete the welding. So it is called “argon arc welding”. You could also review our blog :How to weld titanium?
What are the similarities between MIG and TIG welding?
MIG and TIG welding are both inert gas shielded welds, However, the shielding gas typically used in TIG welding is a mixture of argon and a small amount of helium, while MIG welding typically uses a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide as a shielding gas.
TIG vs MIG, Which one is more suitable for beginners？
The answer is of course MIG, MIG welding is simple and suitable for people who are just starting to learn welding, while TIG welding is complex and requires experience and flexible cooperation with both hands.
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