The different types of welding differ in terms of instrumentation, aesthetics, costs and processing times. The choice of process to use is dictated by the type of metal to be welded, as well as by the final result desired. Let’s see the most used, indicating the respective pros and cons.
Advantages and disadvantages of coated electrode welds
The coated electrode welds are characterized, during the process, by the use of an electrode as a filler material. This is the most common welding process which, despite its apparent simplicity, is not error-free.
The great advantage lies in the low cost, both of the welding machine and of the electrodes, and in the portability of the instrumentation: it is suitable for welding even in difficult positions, for example above a scaffolding.
On the other hand, a lot of attention and experience is required: the thinner plates can be easily pierced by the electric arc, in addition to the impossibility of resoldering the material to correct errors. Another critical point lies in the conversation of the electrodes since, if left in damp places, they will create a weak coating and at risk of breakage.
Continuous wire welding techniques
Continuous wire welding techniques, more commonly called MIG and MAG based on the gas used, are widely used in metal processing: currently, it is the most economical process on the market due to the low cost of the equipment.
It is also recommended for the less experienced, but it presents a big problem: the transport of the instruments, not really very light and rather bulky.
TIG welding: Pros and Cons
Among the most used welding techniques we also find TIG welding: the use of a tungsten electrode, protected by an inert gas, makes it possible not to use filler material during processing.
It is mostly used to weld metals of reduced thickness, as it guarantees a final result with high resistance to future breakages.
Despite the high quality of the results and the wide use that is made of it, TIG welding is very expensive, both from the point of view of the instruments and of the high specialization required by the operator.
