Welding electrode machinery manufacturing plant

Difference between Shielded Metal and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Welding is the process through which different materials are fused together. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) are the two most common welding techniques. Often budding welders fail to recognize the difference between these two processes. So here is a brief on what SMAW and GTAW exactly is and how they are different from each other.

Let us begin with Shielded Metal Arc Welding.

Popularly known as Stick welding procedure, in this welding variety the electric current is carried through an electrode/ welding rod. This rod has a core wire coated in flux and generates tempertaures of approximately 6500F. Due to this kind of heat both the base metal and the electrode are melted. At the same time the molten metal is protected from the oxides as well as nitrides in the atmosphere with the help of a gaseous shield created by vaporizing the flux coating. A slag is also produced by the electrode on the finished weld.

This welding technique is commonly used in the repair of heavy equipments, construction industry, pipeline welding and steel erection.

Major advantages of SMAW is its

Easily portable Does not require shielding gas and thus can be used outside in windy/ rainy atmosphere Works well on dirty/ rusty metals Is a low cost-equipment But difficulty in using thin materials, lower efficiency as alot of waste is produced in the process and most of all requires high operating skill.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses non-consumable tungsten to heat the base metal and thereby create a molten weld puddle. It creates an autogenous (no filler metal) weld by melting two pieces of metal together. This is followed by adding an external filler to create the weld bead and increase its mechanical properties. It makes use of shielding gas, and argon is the most commonly used gas, though mixtures of helium is also used in case of heavy aluminum.

This welding technique is basically used piping systems, bikes and aerospace.

Ability to weld thin materials, high quality of weld and creation of highly asethetic weld beads are some of the major reasons why GTAW is preferred by welders. At the same time high cost of operation, need of shielding gas, lower deposition rates as well as the requirement of a rust & dust free metal surface are some of the main disadvanatges of GTAW.

Thus these are the major use and differences between GTAW and SMAW welding methods. For more information on welding, welding rod manufacturing plants and related topics, you can visit www.logosweld.com or call at +91 422 2934784.

Logos Weld is the leading provider of Welding Electrode Machinery Manufacturing Plant and Welding Electrode Machine Manufacturers in India.