The difference between them is MIG welding uses a continuously feeding wire and the TIG welding use long welding rods and slowly feed them into the weld puddle. Both welding processes uses an electric arc to make the weld. Let us have a deep insight into the comparison and difference between MIG and TIG welding process.
Difference :
- The MIG welding process is done with metal inert gas whereas the TIG welding process is done with tungsten inert gas.
- In MIG welding metal rod is used as electrode and workpiece used as another electrode while in TIG welding tungsten rod is used as an electrode.
- MIG welding is gas shielded metal arc welding and TIG welding is gas shielded tungsten arc welding.
- In MIG, the welding area is flooded with a gas that does not combine with the metal whereas TIG gas is used to protect the welded area from the atmosphere.
- TIG welding is a more versatile process than MIG welding because able to change filler material quickly.
- MIG welding torch is bulkier compared to TIG welding torch.
- TIG welding is preferred where a high quality of weld (radiography) is essential.
- MIG electrode is consumables but in the case of TIG is tungsten which is not consumables.
- MIG welding is a very simple and easy process to learn compared to TIG welding.
- MIG welding process is comparatively faster than TIG welding.
- Filler metal is compulsorily used in MIG welding while may or may not be used in TIG welding.
- MIG welding use DC for arc and TIG welding is used both DC and AC.
- MIG welding can weld up to 40 mm thick metal sheet whereas thickness is limited about 5 mm in case of TIG welding.