What’s The Difference Between MIG And TIG Welding?

MIG and TIG are both arc welding processes and they both use an electric arc to create welds. However, the techniques and equipment used are different. Which is better between the two depends on your project and the kind of welds you wish to have.

It’s important to know the differences between these two so that you can choose the right one for your project. Otherwise, it could cause a lot of headaches, and lead to wasted time, resources and money.

So, in this blog, we will look at the differences so that you can have enough information to make an informed choice.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) Welding

In MIG, a semi-automatic or automatic arc is used and uses a continuously fed electrode wire. 

MIG welders are used on a wide variety of metals like aluminium, steel, and stainless steel. However, it’s better performed for thicker materials and you can see its effectiveness, especially on them. It can also be used on thin materials as well.

Hence it’s more appropriate for industries like automotive, construction, and manufacturing. The best part is you can adapt to the different welding positions such as flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. As it can be used from different angles, it’s suitable for all kinds of major welding projects.

MIG is also faster to use. Because the electrode is continuously fed, you can run the welding for a long time. It makes an effective and productive environment. 

Also, if you are a beginner at welding, using MIG is easier compared to TIG. The process is automated and is easy to learn. It reduces the amount of time under training and you can get into the actual working process sooner compared to TIG.

Industrial operations that require high production rates often use MIG so that labour cost is reduced. You can produce a lot of welds within a short time.

MIG is also cost-effective as it’s faster and produces a large number of welds within the time given. Also, MIG welding supplies are readily available in the market when compared to TIG parts. They are also less expensive when compared to TIG. Moreover, you don’t have to change electrodes frequently in MIG as they are continuously fed. Overall, it requires less cost compared to TIG. 

In MIG, less waste is produced which implies less scrap material and less rework. The overall cost of production of welds is reduced if you use MIG. 

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) Welding

In TIG, a non-consumable electrode is used where two long rods are used to fuse two metals directly together. 

TIG is also used on a wide variety of metals, however, it’s not suitable if you are welding a thick metal piece. In TIG, the electrode is not continuously fed so it becomes difficult to weld a thicker piece but it works perfectly for thinner pieces and you can get the desired shape you want. 

Don’t start with TIG if you are a beginner as it can take time for you to understand the process. However, if you are working on extremely precision projects and want perfect welds, then TIG is better. Though it’s slow compared to MIG, it provides more precision and bond strength. In TIG, it’s all about getting detailed welds.  TIG spare parts are not readily available in the market and are much costlier than MIG parts. However, if your project is all about details, then you have to make an effort as the resultant welds are much more beautiful than MIG welds.

In TIG, more waste is produced and takes time to clean up after the project is done. Hence, it can take time to complete the work. So use TIG only when your project demands otherwise MIG is more suitable.

Final Thoughts

While MIG has advantages over TIG and is great for beginners to start with, TIG has its own set of pros. It all depends on the project you are doing and what kind of welds it requires. However, if you are looking for an easy, quick, and cost-effective welding process, then go for MIG. It’s also ideal if your project requires you to work in difficult positions of welding.

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