Why do we need different welding methods?

Welding methods can be classified by the method used in producing the welding heat and the way the filler material is fed into the weld. The welding method used is selected based on the materials to be welded and the material thickness, the required production efficiency and the desired visual quality of the weld.

The most commonly used welding methods are MIG/MAG welding, TIG welding and manual metal arc welding. The oldest, most known and still fairly common process is manual metal arc welding, which is commonly used in installation workplaces and outdoor sites that demand good reachability.

The slower TIG welding method allows for producing extremely fine welding results, and therefore it is used in welds that will be seen or that require particular accuracy.

MIG/MAG welding is a versatile welding method, in which the filler material need not be separately fed into the molten weld. Instead, the wire runs through the welding gun surrounded by the shielding gas straight into the molten weld.

There are also other welding methods suitable for special needs, such as laser, plasma, spot, submerged arc, ultrasound and friction welding.

Text source: Kemppi