Know About 5 Main Types of Welding Processes

Welding is a process of joining two similar or dissimilar materials, mostly metals or thermoplastics. The process of welding includes the application of heat to melt the materials and add the filler material. This process is universally adopted in metal fabrication as one of the most efficient connecting processes. Owing to the adoption of welding for a comprehensive range of applications, several types of welding processes have evolved over the years. Today, there are more than 30 different welding techniques available.  However, five of them are utilized for a larger scale of operations based on the requirements. This post gives insights into these five main types of welding techniques.

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List of Five Popular Welding Techniques

Most manufacturers employ these five popular welding techniques owing to the distinct advantages that they offer.

Gas Metal Arc Welding / Metal Inert Gas (GMAW/ MIG): Gas metal arc welding or metal inert gas welding is the most popular out of all welding methods. This method uses a filler electrode. This filler metal is filled between the two parts to be fused together. The welding process feeds the filler material and short circuits the welding spot while forming an arc of inert gas. This process is preferred in the automobile, and construction industries. Commonly, it is used for welding metals like stainless steel, copper, nickel, etc.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): This type of welding requires a consumable electrode of filler material. This method does not require shielding gas, as the electrode is coated with flux. Also, air contamination does not impact this type of welding process. This is an electric welding method in which the consumable electrode is fed to the welding joint by passing an electric current through the electrode itself. This method of welding is popular for firm welded joints. It is preferred where heavy fabrication is required.

Gas Tungsten Arc Gas Welding/ Tungsten Inert Gas (GTAW/ TIA): This type of welding features a non-consumable type of tungsten filler that is fed through a welding gun. Inert gas is also fed through the welding gun itself. Generally, argon is utilized as an inert gas. In this technique, the welding arc is formed as electrically charged, non-consumable tungsten filler comes in contact with the material to be welded. This method is often considered the cleanest of all types of welding. It is commonly preferred for welding non-ferrous materials like aluminum, nickel, copper, etc.

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): This is a continuous feeding process. This technique is similar to MIG, however, it uses a u-shaped electrode wire with flux. The major benefit of this welding technique is the higher efficiency of the electrode. Also, no external shielding gas is required.

Gas Welding (GW): This technique includes the mixture of oxygen and acetylene. The welding gun is manually filled with molten base metal and filler metal. This technique is suitable for thin sheet welding. However, it may not sustain the welding for heavy metal fabrication.

Now that different welding techniques are discussed, it is important to note that the metal fabricators and different types of welders choose one of these techniques by considering application requirements. Also, it essential for a fabricator to have efficient equipment to perform high-quality welding. That is why you must source welding and metal fabrication equipment from reliable service providers like Woodward Fab. The company is one of the leading suppliers of welding equipment in the US.  Their MIG welding equipment and TIG welders are favored in various metal fabrication facilities due to the advantages they offer. The company also provides accessories like weld positioners, welding tables, plasma cutting machines, and welding helmets. 

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