Welding is one of the most important methods of metal fabrication, with over 500 million welds made annually throughout the world. With various types of welding available, it can be hard to identify which welding process is the best method for your application. Let’s take a closer look at the types of welding and what makes them the optimal choice.
From the total welds made annually, the three main types of welding makes up a staggering 95% of those welds comprising of Gas Metal Arc Welding, Flux-Cored Arc Welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Each type has its own set of characteristics, applications and benefits.
Lets jump into our What is the Best Type of Welding?
What is the Best Type of Welding?
Welding is a process used to permanently join two pieces of metal together. With the right knowledge and skillset, it’s possible to create anything from simple tools to complex machinery.But which type of welding will best suit your needs?
Different Types of Welding
There are numerous types of welding, each unique in its own way.Here’s a look at a few of the more popular methods:
- Arc Welding : This is the most common type of welding and involves the use of an electric arc to melt the material being welded. Arc welding is best for thicker pieces of metal and is often used for automotive and construction applications.
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) : GMAW is commonly known as “MIG” welding and uses a consumable wire and a chemical gas to protect the weld as it’s being made. This type of welding is ideal for joining thin pieces of metal. It’s incredibly easy to learn and is often used in home workshops.
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) : GTAW is often referred to as “TIG” welding and uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to make the weld. This type of welding is most often used on stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous precious metals.
- Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) : FCAW is a variation on GMAW that uses a consumable wire that’s filled with flux inside.
This type of welding is often used for outdoor or potentially hazardous jobs and is very economical in terms of its use of materials.
- Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) : SAW is a variation of arc welding that submerges the material being welded in a bed of granular flux.
This type of welding is used when large amounts of metal need to be joined quickly and is often used in shipbuilding.