Welding is a part of the steel fabrication process that fuses two different metal pieces together. It requires the use of filler material to form molten metal that acts as a joint between the metal pieces. It has a wide range of application in the construction, electronics and aeronautics industries. There are different types of welding processes, including the following:

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

This type of welding uses bare wire and flux core welding. Bare wire welding is used for fusing two pieces of thin metal together.

On the other hand, flux core welding can be used for outdoor welding, as they do not require a gas supply. MIG welding works by feeding steel wire into the tip of the MIG gun. The tip charges electrically when the trigger is pressed, creating heat that melts the wire for welding.

MIG welding is suitable for stainless steel and aluminium and for welding in any position. This type of welding is ideal for beginners who partake in welding as a hobby and need affordable equipment.

Stick Welding

Stick welding, which is also referred to as arc welding, uses an electrode rod to melt the metals and filler material. During the process, a grounding wire is attached to the welding material or metal surface. The electrode rod is designed with a metal coating that, when heated, melts to form a gas shield. This type of welding is simple and cheap as its electrode eliminates the need for extra welding supplies. Welders can use stick welding in different positions. Stick welding is possible with either alternating or direct current. This technique produces an electric arc between the charged electrode and the metal. It requires a clamping device that is insulated to ensure proper conduction of the current to the electrode.

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding

This welding technique is complex, and it requires the use of both hands to feed the rod and hold the torch simultaneously. The TIG torch creates the heat that is used to weld the metal. TIG welding is suitable for a range of materials and produces a quality weld as well as no toxic fumes. It makes use of argon gas that prevents contamination during welding. Welding is possible in all positions, but it is necessary to hold the torch at an appropriate angle to ensure uniformity. TIG welding can use direct or alternating current. TIG welding is mostly for steel fabrication because the use of gas ensures a tough weld.