Many people don’t realize that there are actually several different types of welding that can be used in any given project. Each welding type serves a different need and the appropriate type will depend on the specifics of the work that needs to be accomplished. In this article, we are going to talk about the different types of welding used in metal fabrication.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (also known as SMAW or stick welding) involves using a stick with an electric current in order to form an electric arc that joins the metals together. Shielded Metal Arc Welding is commonly used in industrial and steel fabrication.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a tungsten electrode to complete the weld. This type of welding is used for complex projects like welding thick sections of stainless steel.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)
Gas Metal Arc Welding is sometimes referred to as Metal Inert Gas (MIG). With this type of welding, a shielding gas along a wire electrode heats up and joins the two metals. GMAW is perhaps the most commonplace welding process for industrial projects.
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) is an alternative to shield welding that offers greater speed and portability.
