THE MAIN TYPES OF WELDING

GMAW OR GAS METAL ARC WELDING

• More commonly called MIG.
• The GMAW process is suitable for fusing mild steel, stainless-steel as well as aluminium.
• it is a welding process in which an electric arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece metal.
• It is the most widely used and perhaps the most easily mastered type of welding for industry and home use.

GTAW OR TUNGSTEN INERT GAS

• TIG welding is comparable to oxy acetylene gas welding and needs a lot more expertise from the operator.
• Employed for carrying out high-quality work when a superior standard of finish.
• It is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld.

SMAW OR ARC WELDING

• Generally known as stick or arc welding.
• Arc welding is the most basic of all welding types, is easy to master in a home welding situation.
• Stick welding can be used for manufacturing, construction and repairs.
• Thinner sheet metals and alloys are usually more suited to the mig welding types.
• Very much well suited for heavy metal size 4 millimetres upwards.

GAS OR OXY ACETYLENE WELDING AND CUTTING

• Not used as widely for general welding of ,mild steel
• Consists of mixing oxygen and acetylene gas to greate a flame capable of melting steels.
• Mostly used today for maintenance work and gas metal cutting.
• Also common for brazing softer metals such as copper and bronze.
• Can also be used for welding delicate aluminium parts such as refrigeration pipes.