Welding can be defined as a process to join two metals such as stainless steel, brass, aluminum, iron, and bronze. Some also state that the process of fusing them for various purposes. Filler is something that is utilized to hold the pieces while the process of joining the metals is performed.
Types of welding machines
We require various types of energy sources to perform welding. Such energies include electric arc, electron beam, laser, gas flame, friction or even ultra sound. On the other hand, the equipment used for such process is known as welder and there are many types of welders or welding machines. Though this article mentions a few of them, broadly, such machines include –
- MIG welding machine
- TIG welding machine
- CO2 welding machine
- MMA welding machine
- MAG welder
- DC inverter welding machine
SMAW or shield metal arc welding is also called as MMA or Manual Metal Arc or stick welding, and it is used for joining steel, iron cast, or stainless steel. In such type of joining flux (electrode coated) is used for welding; electric supply is applied through power supply. This process helps making an electric arc when metal and electrode are brought together. The flux coat helps creating disintegrating and this ultimately ends up in shield gas forming. The instrument required for such type of welding include constant electric supply, work clamps, electrodes, or electrode holders.
MIG welding is the short form of Metal Inert Gas welding wherein the metal arc welding or GMAW are also two names applied to it. Such process is applied to stick aluminum with non-iron metals. Such process is performed while joining metals and alloys. There is quite a tiny splatter available for this type of weld. It is known for its swift process as compared to other legacy systems such as stick welding process. In this process, constant, consumable wire electrodes shielding gases are filled with welding guns. A continuous power supply is essential for welding aluminum or steel. Such type of welding is chiefly utilized in sheet metals joining. As far as industries are concerned, this process is widely used in automobile sector. The instruments needed include a gun for welding, wire feeding units, shield supply of gases, and electrode wires.
Tungsten Inert Gas welding is known as TIG welding wherein reactive metal such as magnesium and aluminum are welded together. The process of joining is done manually and with this process, various types of joins such as corner joining, butt joining, lapping, or t-joints are achieved. While using TIG welding process, the prevention of oxidation is of paramount importance. It requires a non-consumable tungsten electrode and separate filling material. The arc is built between the pointed tungsten electrodes and the part that is to be joined. As it uses gas shield, the weld is quite fine and clear. For shield, inert gases are applied. The thin metal can be welded pretty well using such type of joining. Such a process is used to weld aluminum, brass, titanium, magnesium alloys, and steels and coppers.