The difference between TIG and MIG welding

There are several arc welding processes you can use in the welding industry. The two main processes, and arguably the best known, are TIG welding and MIG welding. Choosing the right welding process is critical to the success of your project. Using the wrong type of welding technique can lead to many problems, such as weaker bonds, corrosion of the welded joint, or complete failure of the weld bond.

TIG welding and MIG welding techniques have their similarities. However, depending on your particular project, sometimes one of these arc welding processes can be more useful than the other.

What is TIG welding?

Tungsten inert gas shielded (TIG) welding, also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), is a process that uses a long rod to fuse two metals directly together. To perform TIG welding, it requires three main components: heating, shielding and filler metal. An electric current is passed through the tungsten electrode to generate heat, and the tungsten electrode creates an arc with the metal. The shielding comes from a bottle of compressed gas. When this gas is turned on, it protects the weld area from the effects of air. This is a two-handed job and requires a very precise process. On the other hand, the welder starts filling the joint by manually dipping the wire into the arc and filling it to form a single piece of metal.

TIG welding is a process that requires a constant-current power source and uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to pass current through two metals and join them together. It is a clean, versatile process that requires the highest level of skill for the welder.

What is MIG welding?

Metal inert gas (MIG) welding, also known as gas shielded metal arc welding (GMAW), is a process in which the wire is continuously fed into the torch at a steady rate. As the wire leaves the torch, it comes into contact with the tip of the soldering iron. The encounter between the two causes the wire feed to melt and form the desired weld. The continuously fed wire acts as filler material and helps to join the two metal objects.

MIG welding is often referred to as the "hot glue gun" of the welding process because of its ease of use and the speed with which two materials can be fused together. This is because the wire feed in MIG welding acts as the electrode and filler, which means thicker parts can be easily fused together without having to heat them all the time.

What is the difference between TIG and MIG welding?

While TIG and MIG welding are both processes that use an electric arc to create a weld, the technology used to achieve that arc is very different.TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to generate extremely high heat, which then melts the metal and creates the weld. MIG welding, on the other hand, uses a continuous wire feed to create a spark and form a weld.  

TIG welding and MIG welding can be used for a wide variety of metals, however, TIG has limited effectiveness for thicker tasks compared to MIG welding, which can fuse larger pieces of metal together. Another difference between the two is that TIG uses a separate filler metal to create the weld seam, whereas MIG does not.

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