Welding Techniques

There are three main welding techniques:

MIG – MIG stands for metal inert gas and sometimes referred to as GMAW which stands for gas metal arc welding.  MIG is an automatic or semi-automatic process in which a current is connected to a wire to act as an electrode to join two pieces of metal. The wire is continuously fed through a welding gun at the same time as a flow of inert gas which acts like a shield to prevent any impurities from entering the weld. MIG is the quickest welding technique.

TIG – TIG stands for tungsten inert gas and sometimes referred to as GTAW.  GTAW stands for gas tungsten arc welding. TIG is a process where reactive metals are blended together to make welds of higher quality than other techniques. The arc is started with a tungsten electrode and it is shielded by inert gas being fed into the weld separately.

STICK – STICK stands for shielded metal arc welding and is the most basic of the techniques making it the easiest way to join most metals. The weld is created by an arc that is struck between the electrode and the target which creates a weld pool and produces slag which must later be chipped off. The electrodes have a protective coating which protects the weld and ensures purity and strength.

BIOWELDING – BIOWELDING is a part of a process called Biomanufacturing. Biomanufacturing is the production of biological products using living cells and is primarily used to produce enzymes, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins and more. Biomanufacturing is also in the process of testing new ways to use biological ingredients to make alternative fuels and plastics. Biowelding is the repair and maintenance of the equipment and tools vital to the success of biomanufacturing. Biowelding requires the welds to be performed in a clean room where it can be conducted without contaminants which adds strength and quality.