Have a look at the comparison of MIG Welding VS TIG Welding. As MIG welding and TIG welding is an old-aged debates, it is essential to differentiate between them. As TIG vs. MIG welding strength is frequently asked question. However, it appears that both of these welding types are useful for operating professional projects. Mainly, there are many types of welding, but these two types are the most popular.
It frequently comes up which kind of welding is more appropriate? Here, if the results of MIG welding are great, then the outcomes of TIG welding are also perfect. Yes, the answer is pretty simple. For more details, this article will help you in understanding the differences and working of each welding.
Contents
Minor Differences between TIG and MIG Welding
| MIG Welding | TIG Welding |
| Here, the composition of the electrode is selected based on metal. | Only tungsten is used as a filament while welding all the processes. In addition, the electrode also has a small amount of alloy in it. |
| Mainly, MIG welding is efficient for homogeneous welding tasks. So, it doesn’t take place autogenously because the filter is applied to it. | Chiefly, it is efficient for an autogenous mode of work. Moreover, TIG welding is also suitable and perfect for homogeneous and heterogeneous welding. But you need to add an extra filter for this. |
| Thereby, MIG welding is carried out either in different polarities, either in AC or in DCEP. By these polarities, the electrode melts easily and deposits quickly. | For increasing the electrode life of the material, TIG welding is done. Mainly, this process also uses the polarities of AC or DCEP. |
| For supplying necessary fillers, the electrode melts down. In this way, the filler metal fills the whole gap between the base and materials. | In case if it is required to fill the gap, the filler metal is operated separately. Moreover, this filler metal helps feed the small rod of filler. In this manner, it works on its own whenever it is required. |
| As filter disposition is very high, so the whole process of MIG welding is entirely productive. Therefore, it is also time-saving. | As filter disposition is low and time-taking, TIG welding is a slow process. In this way, it is not a productive process. |
MIG Welding VS TIG welding
Primarily, MIG and TIG welding is the primary process of fusing two pieces of metal with the help of heat. However, the heat of the arc melts a molten puddle between the sheet and the welder. So, when this metal piddle becomes stiff, it becomes a single piece.
During this process, the filler wire of the machine fills with molten puddles, which help the isolated pieces of metals to stick together. For shielding the liquid metal, gas is necessary to avoid impurities entering it. In addition, the difference between MIG and TIG changes according to the latest research.
Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG):
Most Probably, MIG welding is considered the easiest type of welding. Thereby, as a contractor or as a beginner, people mostly prefer to learn MIG welding first. Mainly, MIG is a process in which the wires come from a spool through a lead. So, this all process happens in a welder by leading out the nozzle of a gun. As a result, the current inside the welding machine produces an arc made when it touches the welding metal. Moreover, the general overview of the MIG welding is detailed below:
How It Works?
It is clear that, for MIG welding, a spool gun is a necessity. So, this spool gun feeds the wire electrode at the same speed that the machine operator already selects welding; the gun emits a shielding gas for protecting the weld area from gases present in atmospheres like oxygen and nitrogen. Mainly, these gases can cause many issues if they react with the electrode of the weld material. Moreover, the gas also protects the arc and the welding metal from atmospheric gases.
Creation of MIG Arc:
For creating an arc for MIG, welding an electric current is the first needed thing. Because the arc for the MIG adding is created by the current when passing through the wire. Mainly, the MIG Arc is considered larger with high heat input. However, when this arc spreads on a wide surface, it shows less penetration than the TIG arc.
Quality of Weld:
Mostly, the quality of work depends on the abilities of the worker. Thereby, MIG welding can be strong and tough if a professional performs it. In most cases, the resultant quality of MIG welding is not perfect because small holes or bubbles develop in the liquid arc. Moreover, these additional holes affect the penetration of the welding. Besides this, MIG welding never has a natural and deep penetration; that’s why small tacks of MIG welding break easily. In this way, the quality of MIG can be tremendous and strong if it is done well.
Speed of MIG Welding:
Primarily, MIG welding is a faster process among all types of welding. MIG welding is known as shoot welding because a welder needs to aim his gun correctly. Moreover, a right-placed trigger helps perform the whole welding process. In this manner, it is faster and easy to set up. In addition, the traveling speed of MIG welding is also fast. In summary, MIG welding is easy to achieve and is a quick process. So, you only have to place your gun and trigger in the right place.
Metal Types:
MIG welding is suitable for welding all metal sheets, but it has strong control over aluminum. As aluminum is difficult to weld, welders always use MIG welding while dealing with aluminum. Due to its ability to weld aluminum, this welding also occurs at the industrial level. On the contrary, MIG welding is not suitable for stainless steel. As it is an expensive material, it requires pristine welds. In this manner, MIG welding is perfect for dealing with all types of metals except stainless steel.
Benefits of MIG welding:
Chiefly, the process of MIG welding is suitable for creating a high-strength weld and performs well in many professional projects. However, the welding appearance is excellent, but it needs sanding to clean it thoroughly. Moreover, shielding gas makes it a quick process, and it also protects the weld area from the reactions of outer gases. In addition, MIG welding can be done on any surface that has a total thickness of 26-gauge.
Applications of MIG Welding:
Mainly, Metal Inert Gas is used for dealing with the thick sheets of metals appropriately. In addition, the consumable wire of the welder acts as an electrode as well as filler material. Moreover, TIG welding mchine is used for welding many sheets of metals like aluminum, copper, magnesium, and many more. But aluminum is worth mentioning there because other types of welding are not appropriate to deal with aluminum.
Besides this, MIG welding offers lower production costs and results in shorter lead times. However, the welds are not as precise and strong as they should be.
The downside of MIG Welding:
Therefore, MIG welding is not suitable for outdoor activities because gases are involved in this process. As we know, all types and types of metals can be welded with this process, so all metals require different wires and gases for welding. Besides this, MIG welding cannot work on a rough surface. So, it is necessary to clean and remove the paints of the metal surface before welding.
Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG):
Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG) is also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). In this welding process, an electric arc is established on the conductive plates of metals and the non-consumable electrode of tungsten. Moreover, TIG welding is considered the most expensive and challenging type of welding in today’s world. As a non-consumable electrode is used in this process, filler metal also supplies more by feeding a rod.
Moreover, TIG welding also employees shielding gas to protect the metal from oxidation and contamination. Thereby, all the characteristics of TIG welding are explained in detail.
How it works?
Chiefly, TIG welding uses non-consumable tungsten electrodes rather than using a metal electrode. Before starting TIG welding, a welder needs to heat the tungsten at a very high temperature. In this manner, this welding process requires additional filler. In addition, the operator of the machine feeds this melted filler into a sheet, where the welding process is taking place.
Besides this, the worker also needs to use his foot to control a pedal that dictates the input. Besides this, TIG welding is considered the primary type of welding. Because of producing efficient welds, no other type of welding can beat this process.
Creation of TIG arc:
Mainly, the TIG welders create a narrow arc during the welding process, which is considered more accurate and efficient. Moreover, TIG arcs are completely capable of making and developing fine welds. Furthermore, it is estimated that a narrow arc gives deep and strong penetration compared to a large arc.
Although it has a smaller heat zone, more heat is transferred to the weld area in TIG welding. As MIG and TIG have the same amperage range, the amount of transferred heat is more in this type of welding. In short, a narrow arc is always much hotter and better than a large one.
Quality of TIG weld:
Most probably, TIG welds are considered the highest quality welds among all types of welding. However, for sealing welds, TIG welding is always a great choice. TIG welding has more substantial penetration, so it gives stronger and harder welds. In this manner, you can make better tacks without using any filler wire. Moreover, the overall quality of the TIG weld is beyond expectations. Thereby, it gives a solid and sturdy weld that you need to make a lot of struggles to break the weld points. In this manner, people mostly prefer TIG welding because of its high-quality services.
Speed of TIG welding process:
Indeed, the TIG welding process is time taking as compared to MIG welding. Although the weld quality is brilliant, it offers a lot of time and effort. For achieving the necessary results, the travel speed of the machine needs to be slower. In TIG welding, feeding a wire by hand doesn’t help you because you can’t move the wire quickly. In this way, TIG welding requires enough time for complete feeding and to produce strong welds.
Metal Types:
Both MIG and TIG welding are capable of welding all types of metals. However, TIG welding is not suitable to weld aluminum sheets of metals. That’s why operators prefer MIG welding to deal with aluminum. On the contrary, TIG welding has great command over steel sheets. As steel is thin and hard, TIG welding is perfectly suitable for this. Mainly, TIG welding is done on thin sheets of metals. That’s why most people prefer to weld stainless steel with the process of TIG welding. This happens because the fabrication of the steel is uncoated. So, all the other types of welding are not able to deal with steel perfectly.
Benefits of TIG welding:
Primarily, TIG welding offers a wide range of advantages in dealing with all types of metals except aluminum. First of all, this process is the cleanest and most potent way to weld any sheet of metal. In this way, you will get exceptional results.
Secondly, you can operate a TIG welder in almost any direction. It means that you have an excellent opportunity to weld the metals upward, downward, or to the side with this process. Mainly, this opportunity is available in almost all types of welding. Thirdly, as TIG welders always have a pedal, you have complete control over the system’s heat.
Applications:
Most probably, TIG welding is the most versatile and comprehensive process that professionals use. Moreover, this process is efficient for welding thin and small sheets of metals. Besides this, TIG welding is mainly done in industries and for completing professional tasks.
Thereby, operators use this process for welding a wide range of thin materials. In addition, operators must learn highly specialized training for learning TIG welding skills because it is not a simple task. Lastly, TIG welding offers great control of heat during the process and produces exceptional and precise results.
Downsides of TIG welder:
Besides many advantages, there are also few downsides of TIG welding. Mainly, it is the most expensive type of welding. In addition, you can easily face contamination issues with this welding process. However, this happens when the shielding gas doesn’t give enough coverage to the filler. Thereby, it applies when the gas of the system blows away in the atmosphere.
Moreover, cracks are easily made in work with TIG welding. However, you can eliminate these issues by adding filler continuously. Above all, overheating is the main issue with TIG welding. Thereby, aluminum is a challenging metal for TIG welding.
Similarities Between MIG and TIG welding
Besides several differences between MIG and TIG welding, there are also some similarities between both. These processes are of the same class, so there also lies some crucial similarities between TIG and MIG. Thereby, all the similarities are explained in detail below:
Here, the first similarity between TIG and MIG welding is that they both are arc welding processes. In addition, an electric arc forms between the electrodes and the metal plates. However, this electric arc is responsible for melting down the rough and parallel surfaces to make a plain surface. Moreover, the base metal of these processes is fused, so they are also considered fusion welding processes.
Primarily, MIG and TIG welding uses bare electrodes for working. However, TIG and MIG welding electrodes use different materials, but the similarity is that none of them uses flux-coated electrodes.
Most probably, only conductive metals can weld by using TIG and MIG welding. However, for solid-state welding, it is essential to connect non-conducting metal with it. In this sense, only arc welding processes involved TIG and MIG welding. Thereby, MIG is always best for MIG projects, and TIG welding is beneficial for TIG and industrial tasks.
Conclusion:
It is not difficult to learn welding skills, but it is essential to know each type’s job and exceptional results. Therefore, if you are looking for complete research on the differences and working of MIG and TIG welding, then this article is written only for you. For better understanding, you must go through these differences.
Moreover, MIG welding has different strong and weak points than TIG welding. In short, both these types of welding are helpful in different ways. In this sense, MIG welding is beneficial for small projects, while TIG welding creates superior quality welds.