WELDING

Welding is a process usedto join materials, especially metals and alloys. It is done throungh the
almost immediate melting, followed by the solidification of the materials. It is industry in general,
and serves for the manufacture ande recovery of parts, equipment and metallic structures.

The aplication ranges from small academic components to large structures and equipment such as
bridges, ships or car. In this article we will explain what are the most common types of this process
and how they work.

Normally, when talking about types of welding, the 3 most known types are: coated

electrode, TIG and MIG/MAG.

1. Coated electrode (SMAW)

With low cost and simple operation, the coated electrode (or hand arc) is the most common

form of welding. In this type of operation, the electrode is consumed forming the weld bead,

protected against contamination of the atmospheric air by the gaseous atmosphere and the

slag.

It can be performed in places of difficult mobility or access and in different materials, for

example:
 Stainless steel;

 Aluminum;

 Cast iron;

 Nickel;

 Copper.

This type of soldering also has greater flexibility compared to other methods.

2. TIG

In this welding process, the electric arc is made between the piece to be welded and the

tungsten electrode, which remains.

In the TIG type (Tungsten Inert Gas, in Portuguese), a spark generator is positioned between

the electrode and the workpiece.

The main advantage of this type of welding is the weld bead finish and less heating of the

part, in addition to the excellent quality of the weld. However, it requires greater skill from

the welder and should not be used for sheets thicker than 6mm.
3. MIG/MAG (GMAW)

In these two types of welding, an electric arc is established between a wire-shaped

consumable and the workpiece. The weld metal, in these cases, is protected from the

atmosphere by the flow of an inert or active gas.

The main difference between MIG (Inert Metallic Gas, in Portuguese) and MAG (Active

Metallic Gas, in Portuguese) is the gas used and the materials to which the weld is intended:

MIG: uses argon gas to weld aluminum, copper and stainless steel.

MAG: use the mixture of argon and CO² for welding carbon steel and its alloys.

The two processes are very flexible and provide quality welds and high productivity,

eliminating tip losses and the need to remove slag.