There are four main types of welding: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and tungsten inert gas welding (TIG).
Shielded metal arc welding, also known as stick welding, is one of the most common and widely used welding processes. It involves the use of a consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the weld. The flux helps to protect the weld pool from contaminants in the air and produces a slag that covers the weld and helps to strengthen it. Stick welding is relatively simple to learn and is portable, making it a popular choice for field work and on-site repairs.
Flux-cored arc welding is similar to stick welding, but it uses a continuous wire electrode that is fed through the welding gun. The wire electrode is also coated in flux, but it is contained within the center of the wire rather than being applied as a coating. FCAW is faster and more efficient than SMAW, and it is also less sensitive to wind and drafts, making it a good choice for outdoor work.
Gas metal arc welding, also known as MIG welding, uses a continuous wire electrode that is fed through the welding gun and an inert gas, such as argon or helium, to shield the weld pool from contaminants. MIG welding is relatively easy to learn and is widely used in manufacturing and fabrication. It is a fast process that produces high-quality welds and is suitable for a wide range of materials, including steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Tungsten inert gas welding, also known as TIG welding, uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The tungsten electrode is shielded by an inert gas, such as argon, and the weld pool is protected from contaminants by a ceramic shielding cup. TIG welding is a precise and highly skilled process that produces high-quality welds, but it is also relatively slow and requires a high level of proficiency to master. It is typically used for thin materials and high-precision work, such as in the aerospace and medical industries.
In addition to these four main types of welding, there are also many other specialized welding processes that are used in specific applications, such as plasma arc welding, electron beam welding, and laser beam welding. These processes all have their own unique characteristics and are used in specific situations where their capabilities are best suited.