Difference Between MIG And TIG Welding

MIG Welding

TIG Welding

MIG welding utilizes a consumable metallic electrode.

TIG welding utilizes a non-consumable electrode.

Welding wire or electrode is made of bare material in the desired composition.

The electrodes are typically made of tungsten or tungsten alloys.

The electrode needs to be fed at a constant speed from a wire reel.

There is no requirement for electrode feeding.

In this process, the metal electrode in wire form acts as the filler material.

During the TIG welding process, separate filler material may or may not be used.

MIG welding is commonly used for joining similar metals.

TIG welding is commonly used for joining dissimilar metals.

The electrode holder, referred to as a welding gun or torch, is equipped with continuous wire electrode feeding, shielding inert gas, cooling water, and control features.

The electrode holder is a welding torch and includes a cap covering the tungsten electrode. It also has connections for shielding gas, cooling water, and control cables. It can be air-cooled or water-cooled.

The welding torch can be air or water-cooled.

The welding torch is typically water-cooled.

It is widely employed for thick plates (above 4 mm) welding.

TIG welding is well-suited for thin plates and small parts.

The thickness is typically limited to around 40 mm.

The maximum metal thickness can be welded is around 5 mm.

Direct current (DC) with reverse polarity is used.

Both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) can be used in TIG welding.

MIG welding is a faster process compared to TIG welding.

TIG welding is a slower process compared to MIG welding.

The cost of equipment for MIG welding tends to be higher.

The equipment cost for TIG welding is generally lower than that of MIG welding.