MIG (metal inert gas welding) is a welding process where an arc flows between a consumable wire electrode and the metal, which heats the metal, causing them both to melt and join. Along with the wire electrode, a shielding gas feeds through the welding gun, which shields the process from contaminants in the air. TIG (tungsten inert gas welding) is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas, and a filler metal is normally used, though some welds do not require it. Stick Welding is a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to bond the weld. Spot Weldingis a process in which contacting metal surfaces are joined by the heat obtained from resistance to electric current. The metal pieces to be welded are held together by pressure exerted by the welding electrodes when the electric current is applied, which melts the two pieces together. Brazing is a metal-joining process in which two metal pieces are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint. The filler metal must have a lower melting point than the metals to be brazed. Silver soldering is a form of brazing. |