Three Common Welding Methods and their Best Applications
07 April 2022
In joining two or more materials, industries would turn to the welding process thanks to its effectiveness. Welding is a process wherein metals are melted together by exposing them to high heat. After heating the workpieces, they are then cooled, enabling the parts to fuse.
Most of the time, industries utilise welding in processing metal workpieces. Through this process, they can craft metal parts with various shapes and sizes. They can also come up with workpieces that can be further processed into useful products. Some metals that can undergo welding include carbon steel, low-carbon mild steel, and stainless steel.
The properties of a specific metal can vary from others. Hence, different welding methods have been devised to cater to the needs of metal materials. The following are some of the most common welding methods used in the industry today and their best applications.
Arc Welding
For more than 200 years, arc welding has been utilised by many industries due to its straightforward working principle. This welding method utilises an electric current generated between the welding device and the involved materials, creating heat to melt and join the workpieces. The welding device can be either a consumable or non-consumable electrode and is powered by an alternating current or direct current power supply. The heat produced by the electric current can reach up to 3,600 degrees Celsius, allowing the arc welding to yield joined metal workpieces effectively.
Given the simplicity of arc welding, it can be maximised for steel erection, pipeline welding, heavy equipment repair, and other similar construction projects.
MIG Welding
Metal inert gas (MIG) welding, alternatively, is a welding method that can be automated. First used in the 1940s, this welding process maximises a welding gun to strike an electric arc and, at the same time, distribute a shielding gas. The electric arc then heats the two metal workpieces and joins them. This welding method relies on the direct current power source, making it effective in processing aluminium and steel. It is also versatile as it can maximise varying methods of metal transfer like globular transfer, short-circuiting, spray transfer, and pulsed spray.
MIG welding is mostly utilised in the automotive industry, but it can also be used for processing plates and large bore pipes.
TIG Welding
Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, ultimately, is a welding process that maximises a fixed consumable tungsten electrode to generate electric current. Compared to other welding methods, TIG welding requires more time as the whole process should be done carefully and steadily. However, it is still utilised in various industries since it can be effective in combining thick sections of non-ferrous metals, which are known to have varying melting points. Some non-ferrous metals that can undergo TIG welding are stainless steel, aluminium, copper, bronze, and magnesium.
TIG welding is utilised in welding pipes and pipelines. It can also be used in parts and products needed by the aviation and aerospace industries.
To find out more about these welding methods, you can call us at Amon Engineering.
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