What is welding?
Welding is in everything and is used in countless industries such as automotive, construction, manufacturing, railroads and others. Many of the things you’ll have used this morning and throughout the day wouldn’t be without welding.
Welding is a process that uses heat to join two metals together creating a fusion melting with a blowpipe, electric arc or other means. The only process of joining pieces of metal that is able to act as a single piece. Not only is it used in almost everything but can be performed almost anywhere! Outdoors, indoors or even underwater.
The benefits of welding:
Complete rigid joints can be provided with the welding process.
Welding establishes strong, durable & permanent joint links.
The technique when used with filler material produces a stronger weld than the base material
Welding is more economical and is a much faster process
Large numbers of metals & alloys both similar & dissimilar can be joined by welding.
Types of welding:
Over time welding has developed but where to start? We are going to focus on the three popular types of welding, MIG, STICK and TIG welding which are all different with MIG and stick being the simplest to master. Whereas TIG is often used for smaller projects that are focused on cleanliness, control and the look of the weld.
MIG is an arc welding process that uses a continuous solid wire, heated and fed into the weld pool from a welding torch. MIG welding uses a shielding gas to protect the weld from other gases in its atmosphere. The difference between MIG & MAG welding is MIG uses Argon or Argon combined with helium. Whereas MAG uses active gas (Co2 and Co2 argon mix.)
MIG welding is an easier welding process to master in comparison to other processes. The electrode is continuously fed through the gun with little to no electrode striking. MIG welding uses electricity, an electrode and shielding gas with the most important equipment being a MIG welding machine/power source. MIG welders are where the three components of MIG is combined to deliver a weld via a MIG welding torch/gun. This machine gives the user control over how fast the wire will be fed to the welding torch.
Stick welding also known as shielded metal arc welding is commonly used. This uses an electric current and rod at the weld pool. The rod of the materials is usually covered in flux also known as an electrode or filler. Has electric current passes through the rod which is superheated and melts to fill the gap between the pieces needing to be welded to create a join. The process creates a protective environment that will help to stop impurities from impacting the quality of the weld.
The most important part of stick welding is choosing the right welder for you. The stick welding process can use an AC or DC that is created from a welder to create the arc. Things to think about are AC/DC current types, alternating current and direct current. DC is more stable, fluid is used to keep the arc stable as you weld. AC current is often used when you want to reduce arc blows.
TIG welding process allows you to weld at very high quality which is why it’s often used on smaller projects that require precise and good-looking welds. An arc welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode, that uses an inert gas such as argon or helium. TIG welding protects the arc flow and the weld pool from contamination by pumping gas down the rod forming a protective layer around the weld pool.
Unlike MIG welding which uses a consumable wire electrode, TIG electrodes will not melt during the welding process rather than arc melts the parent metal and a separate welding rod of filler metal which form the weld bead creating the weld.
At Truflame we have the knowledge and experience to help get you the right welding equipment for your applications. Give you the product information and understanding to help you make the best-informed decision on which welding machines would be the right choice for your needs.
