MIG vs TIG |Welding types| Application, Which Weld Is Best

As welding is the union of two or more metals by heating metals up to their melting points or by applying pressure to form a joint between different metals. Industry professionals adopt different welding types to achieve the desired outcome. In arc welding, you use electric current to weld different types of metal. Among arc welding, there are two common welds but which one is best MIG VS TIG?

MIG VS TIG |Which is best for your weld work?|

Before claiming which weld is best for your applications, you must have an idea of how MIG welding and TIG welding work, their weld, welding materials, and their pros and cons.

How to MIG weld

In Metal inert gas welding, base material fuses with wire by an electric arc which is supplied by a welding gun. The wire is used as filler material as well as an electrode. The electric arc requires a power source. Additionally, there is a gas tank that has shielding gas. The most common shielding gas is a mixture of argon and CO2 at a ratio of 75:25. The purpose of MIG welding gas is to prevent contamination at the weld.

How to TIG Welding

TIG is an acronym for tungsten inert gas. In TIG Welding, an electrode is formed between the base material and the non-consumable tungsten electrode. The welding torch supplies gas. The shielding gas is used to shield electrodes and molten weld pools. You can do it without any filler material. If you want filler material, then you have to use filler wire separately at the weld pool.

Difference between MIG vs TIG welding

MIG and TIG welding material

Both types of welding can be done on a wide range of metals. But MIG welding is more appropriate for thick metals while on the other hand, while TIG Welding is more suitable for thin metals. The typical materials which can be welded are stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, and other alloys.

Application of TIG vs MIG

Both types of welding has wide range of applications,

Feature	MIG Welding	TIG Welding
Base material	It is the most suitable choice for thick material or large pieces due to continuous feed wire.	It is the best choice for thin material.
Duration	It is good to go for long runs with its continuously fed wire which acts as electrode and filler material.	It is suitable for short runs such as pipe joints.
Skill level	It does not require a skilled person as it is easy to learn and the best suitable option for beginners.	It requires a skilled welder due to its accuracy and precision.
Production	Its production is fast due to low lead time which results in a low cost of production.	Its production is slow high lead time which results in a high cost of production.
Weld position	It is suitable for difficult welding positions as your one hand is occupied MIG gun.	This type of welding does not work when a welder is out of position as it requires high precision and accuracy.

MIG VS TIG welder

TIG vs MIG Welding, which one is best?

The answer is this question is not simple, as you can use both types of welding in different circumstances and required weld character.

TIG Welding

TIG welding requires an experienced welder that creates accurate and narrow beads, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing weld. Most welders preferred for thin material but it is very costly due to its high lead time. Most welders use it where the bead is exposed, such as in pipe joints.

MIG Welding

It is the simplest and easiest type of welding which is suitable for high production with a broader bead. This welding does not result in an aesthetically pleasing weld. You can use this welding for thick materials as wire acts as electrode and filler material. It is fast due to low lead time and economical.

Both TIG and MIG welding have pros and cons but Metal inert gas welding welding has certain advantages over TIG Weld,

High production
Cost effective
Applicable in difficult positions
Thicker material
Fast weld

Frequently Asked Question

Both types of welding use an electric arc to produce the weld. The main difference is the way the arc is produced. TIG weld requires a non-consumable electrode that fuses the base material directly While MIG welding. While MIG weld requires a constantly fed wire through a welding gun to create a spark. The weld is formed by melting the base material.

Metal inert gas is used for thicker material and large pieces. It is faster and has a low lead time. It is economical welding. It is easy and most suitable for beginners. It can weld a variety of materials. But the bead is broader and good for high production.

Tungsten inert gas is used for thin materials and small pieces. It is costly due to slow welding and has a high lead time. It requires a more skilled person to weld than metal inert gas welding. It produces an aesthetically pleasing weld and is mostly done where the bead is exposed. It is mostly used for pipe joints.

Metal Inert gas welding is a common type of arc welding in which an electric arc is produced by the power source. The continuously fed wire through the welding torch fuses the base material. This wire works as an electrode and filler material.

MIG is easy to learn, has high production due to more welding speed, and requires a cleaned surface to weld but is confined to a specific place. TIG requires a skilled welder with aesthetically pleasing weld beads and a slow process but high precision and accuracy. Stick welding is cost-effective, suitable for outdoor conditions and rusty metals but less efficient.

MIG vs TIG |Welding types| Application, Which Weld Is Best