Comparison: MIG/MAG and TIG welding

MIG/MAG and TIG welding are two common welding techniques, each with its own advantages when welding steel, stainless steel and aluminum. The following is a comparison between them:

1. MIG/MAG welding
MIG welding: The shielding gas used in MIG welding is Ar or Ar+He, which is suitable for welding all metals, such as carbon steel and low-alloy steel, and is particularly suitable for welding aluminum and aluminum alloys, magnesium and magnesium alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, copper and copper alloys, and stainless steel. MIG welding has a large heat input, fast filler metal deposition speed, easy automation, stable arc combustion, smooth droplet transition, and no violent spatter. During the entire arc combustion process, the welding wire is continuously fed at a constant speed.
MAG welding: The shielding gas used in MAG welding is an inert gas plus a small amount of oxidizing gas, which is suitable for welding carbon steel, low-alloy steel and stainless steel. MAG welding can improve the stability of droplet transition, stabilize cathode spots, improve the stability of arc combustion, increase arc thermal power, reduce welding defects and reduce welding costs, and obtain excellent weld quality.
2. TIG welding
TIG welding is also known as non-melting inert gas tungsten arc welding. Whether it is manual welding or automatic welding of 0.5-4.0 mm thick stainless steel, TIG welding is the most commonly used welding method. TIG welding with filler wire is often used for base welding of pressure vessels because TIG welding has good air tightness and can reduce the porosity of the weld during pressure vessel welding. The heat source of TIG welding is a DC arc with an operating voltage of 10-95 volts, but the current can reach 600 amps. Due to the protection of argon gas, the harmful effects of air on molten metal can be isolated, so TIG welding is widely used for welding easily oxidized non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium and their alloys, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, as well as refractory active metals (such as molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, etc.).

In summary, MIG/MAG and TIG welding have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different welding needs. When choosing a welding method, factors such as welding materials, welding position, and welding speed should be considered, and the choice should be made based on actual conditions.