Have you thought about a career in welding? There isn’t just one kind, there are several welding specialties, and they’re all in demand. But what are the differences, and what do you need to know to succeed as you start your career? Here is our ultimate guide to the various types of welding to help you determine which is right for you.
TIG
This is one of the most popular types of welding. In this process, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, a non-consumable tungsten electrode is used to heat and melt the material. This creates a weld puddle that can then connect metal. This is unique because you don’t need to use a filler metal, though you can. It does make the type of welding more accessible to more people.
MIG
For Gas Metal Arc Welding or MIG welding, the process continuously feeds a line of electrodes through a specialized welding gun. The wire is fed as you weld, which melts and creates the bond between two metals, which means you can weld different types of metals together using this process. The consumable material for MIG welding will have to be replenished throughout the process.
Stick
This is one of the oldest types of welding and also might be the simplest. And electrode is heated and melted along with the source metal, which creates a solid bond to weld the two parts together. It’s commonly used in construction and fabrication that requires an extremely stronghold. The rod is consumable and has to be replaced.
ARC
Also known as flux core, ARC welding starts similarly to MIG welding using the wire as a consumable. The flux core creates a gas shield around the weld, so an external source is not necessary. It’s mainly used for heavy steel construction, and, like many other welding types, the consumables need to be replaced while working.
Every type of welding is used within a shipyard. When you bring a specialization to the table, you may have some advantages over your competition.
Are you looking for a welding job in the marine industry?
Contact the team at Hutco to learn more today.
