Difference Between MIG and TIG Welding

There are several arc welding methods available in the welding business. MIG welding and TIG welding are the two basic methods and possibly the most well-known. The success of your project will depend on the welding procedure you use. Several issues, including weaker bonding, corrosion of the weld joint, or a complete failure in the binding of the weld in the first place, might arise from the incorrect welding procedure.

What Is MIG Welding?

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as inert metal gas (MIG) welding, is a procedure in which wire is continuously and steadily supplied into a welding gun. The wire comes into contact with an electric tip when it exits the welding gun. The feed wire melts when the two come into contact, producing the ideal weld. The wire is passed straight through and serves as a filler to aid in joining the two metal components.

Due to its simplicity of use and the speed at which you can fuse two materials, MIG welding is frequently referred to as the "hot glue gun" of welding methods. Because the feed wire serves as both an electrode and a filler during MIG welding, thicker parts can be easily fused without needing thorough heating.

What Is TIG Welding?

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), commonly referred to as inert tungsten gas (TIG), is a method of joining two metals together without needing flux or other intermediaries. Heat, shielding, and filler metal are the three significant elements to complete a TIG weld.

Electricity flowing through the tungsten electrode, which forms an arc to the metal, generates heat. A compressed gas bottle provides the shielding. This gas shields the weld region from the air when it is turned on. This two-handed task necessitates a very exact procedure. By manually dipping the welding wire into the arc and filling it to form a single piece of metal, a welder, on the other hand, begins to fill the junction.

A non-consumable tungsten electrode is used in the constant current TIG welding method to pass a current across both metals and connect them. It is a tidy, flexible technique that calls for a welder to have the highest level of ability.

Differences Between MIG and TIG Welding

#1 Diversity

Being a MIG welder is a better career choice for various reasons. It's more diverse. While TIG welding can be utilized in a broader variety of metals, its use in thicker work is constrained. Aluminum, stainless steel, and steel can all be joined using MIG welding, as can materials ranging in thickness from 26-gauge sheet metal to large structural plates.

This significant benefit of MIG welding over TIG results from the wire feed's dual functionality as an electrode and a filler. Thicker parts can be fused without being heated all the way through. Additionally, MIG welding can be used to join different materials because it employs filler rather than fusing.

#2 Speed

Speed is another argument in favor of MIG vs. TIG. Since a MIG cannon is built to operate continuously for extended periods, it is more effective and productive than a comparable weapon. MIG is the preferred option for primary industrial operations that demand high production rates. (It is also well suited for automation.) On the other hand, TIG welding is a much slower procedure that is detail-oriented.

#3 Cost

Time is money, just as in any production position. The MIG welding technique is also more economical because it is so much faster. MIG parts are also more accessible and far less expensive than TIG ones. TIG welding costs more per foot of bead because the deposition rate is lower. Due to the slightly more expensive consumables, the installation costs are also slightly higher than with MIG.

#4 Ease

And finally, MIG welding is simpler to learn and can be mastered after only a few weeks of instruction. It's been compared to the "hot glue gun" of welding because all you have to do is pull the trigger to initiate or terminate the weld. MIG welders can hold the gun and control it with one hand, making them a better choice for novice welders. On the other hand, TIG welding is a specialist technology that calls for the independent use of both hands and one foot.

CONCLUSION

Both TIG and MIG are equally effective. Depending on the factors you must consider, one might be a better option in some circumstances. MIG welding provides quick and inexpensive welds on steel and aluminum. Although stainless steel may also be welded, MIG welders are not typically used. MIG welding is an attractive option for low cost and high production.

TIG welders produce precise, slender, attractive beads with high penetration. However, they are more expensive and require skilled welders. The TIG method is frequently favored for pipe joints, thinner stock, and aluminum and stainless steel work where the bead is left exposed. Steel may also be TIG welded. But when the steel needs to be coated, MIG is frequently a superior option.