OEM Metal Inert Gas Welding Fabrication Gas Metal Arc Welding Process

Custom OEM Services Works Manufacturer Company Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Sheet Metal Part Welding Fabrication

After cutting metal pieces to desired sizes, it is necessary to join them to suit desired shape and specifications. Therefore, sheet metal welding is an important aspect of metal fabrication.

There are different sheet metal welding techniques:

1. MIG Welding

Metal Inert Gas welding (MIG), also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding. It involves feeding a continuous solid wire electrode into the weld puddle with a welding gun. The melted wire in the pool causes the joining of the metal pieces. The shielding gas in the welding gun prevents atmospheric contamination of the weld puddle.

MIG welding creates top-quality welds, and it’s suitable for most sheet metals, such as aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.

This welding method is the go-to technique in the automotive and home improvement industry. Also, it is a cost-effective technique, as it requires no sophisticated machines.

2. TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) is an arc welding that involves using a non-consumable tungsten electrode under DC or AC to produce its weld. Like MIG welding, it uses inert shielding gas – argon or helium to prevent atmospheric contaminants and oxidation of the electrode and puddle.

TIG welding is suitable for welding non-ferrous metals like aluminum, titanium, copper, nickel, magnesium, chromium, etc. It is a valuable technique for the aviation and aerospace industries. Also, it is ideal for fabricating frames for motorcycles, doors, and feeders.

This welding method provides the welder with better control leading to a neat and strong weld. However, it may be time-consuming and requires expertise on the part of the welder.

3. Stick Welding

Stick welding is referred to as shielded metal arc welding. It is a manual arc welding process that uses a stick covered in flux as an electrode. An electric current from the welding power supply forms an arc between the pieces joining metals and the electrode. It is suitable for tough metals like iron and steel.

The process does not use any shielding gas. As heat is generated, it disintegrates the flux covering the electrode, forming a slag that protects the weld pool from contamination.

This welding technique is perhaps the most convenient, as its equipment is compact and portable – easily carried around. It is a common technique in construction, shipbuilding, and steel fabrication industries.

4. Plasma Arc Welding

Plasma arc welding is similar to TIG welding in that it uses a tungsten electrode. However, it uses a small arc and permits placing the electrode on the welding torch body. The pressurized gas forms a hot plasma, which melts the metals together to create solid welds.

This welding technique requires low power and works at high speed. Moreover, it produces precise welds making it widely accepted in the aviation and marine industries.

Like TIG welding, plasma arc welding does not require filler materials. Also, it produces high-quality welds with less need for finishing.

5. Electron Beam and Laser Welding

As the name suggests, laser and electron beam welding uses lasers and electron beams as the heat source to fuse and join pieces of metals. Unlike most other methods, this welding technique requires a sophisticated machine or automated robots.

It is a high-precision welding technique, which makes it suitable for operations with intricate details. The laser beams can focus on the tiniest of substances for extreme accuracy welding.

Moreover, it is suitable for welding tough metals like carbon steel, titanium, stainless steel and aluminum. The technique is also suitable for thermoplastics. The method yields products of great aesthetic appeal, reducing post-production needs.

6. Gas Welding

Gas welding is one of the traditional forms of welding by heat. It involves using heat generated from burning fuel (gasoline), oxygen, or oxyacetylene to join pieces of metals together. The burning of these fuels produced very hot flames that melt metal surfaces during joining.

The technique remains one of the most used welding methods in industries. It has a broad scope of application, suitable for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Also, it is effective and efficient for welding pipes and tubes, repairs of ventilation and air conditioning systems, etc.

Unlike many other welding techniques, it doesn’t require electricity. Also, it is portable, highly economical, and doesn’t require the services of specialists.