Construction

If you can’t make up your mind on what type of welding procedures suits your large construction project, the best recommendation is to look into the most popular types of welding on construction sites. Every industrial company uses welding, and you can find it in every industry, including construction businesses, aerospace, railway systems, and vehicle manufacturers. 

Welding is an ever-advancing industry and a money-making market that provides professional welders with many lucrative opportunities. It’s no wonder that so many decide to do this for a living. However, such a market is oversaturated with countless professionals and businesses offering their services. 

Most of them fail to keep up with the competitive curve and overwhelming market, resulting in poor quality weldments. Another challenge is a shortage of labor welders willing to provide their services outside of their area of expertise. Low quality of service and lousy training make it harder to find highly skilled welders. 

Since a large construction project requires many welding processes, hands-on practice and expertise in the field make all the difference. 

Regardless if it’s knowledge of different welding rod sizes or determining the best welding procedure for the task at hand, even the tiniest detail matters. 

Let’s talk about the most popular types of welding in construction.

ARC/SMAW welding

SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding and refers to the arc welding method mainly used for welding together large steel constructions. Arc welding is the best welding type for industrial iron and steel fabrication and manufacturing.

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Also categorized as stick welding, this type of welding is commonly conducted manually. A welder uses a welding stick powered by an electric current with high electricity running through it. They apply the stick to the welding area, using the heat to generate an arc between the two materials – the metals and the stick.

One of the most significant advantages of this welding technique is that it doesn’t require any costly equipment to use it. More importantly, it doesn’t require using shielding glass, making it perfect for portability.

TIG/GTAW welding

Tungsten Inert Gas or Gas Tungsten Arc Gas Welding refers to a welding method that most welders consider complicated. This welding method relies on using tungsten electrodes to weld metals together. An operator must be trained and skilled in handling both tungsten materials and the complex welding procedure. 

This type of welding requires using both hands to achieve top-class quality welds. The TIG torch heats the non-ferrous material to create an arc, but the welding rod requires constant fueling, which is why an operator needs to use both hands. 

While this can be pretty challenging to learn and master, TIG/GTAW welding is one of the most effective welding techniques that can be used on any welding and construction project, no matter the size. 

It is used to weld materials such as:

  • Brass; 
  • Copper; 
  • Magnesium; 
  • Bronze; 
  • Stainless steel; 
  • Aluminum; 
  • Steel;
  • Nickel alloys; 
  • Gold.

Since TIG welding machines have built-in control mechanisms, they can create cleaner and higher-quality welds. A welder uses a foot pedal to control the heat. Because of that, an operator can either heat up or cool down the weld, having a higher level of control over the welding precision. These machines come with various features, such as the useful high-frequency start feature.

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MIG/GMAW welding

MIG and GMAW stand for Metal Inert Gas and Gas Metal Arc Welding and is the most common welding technique used in almost every home, property, etc. It’s available to all and easy to learn. MIG/GMAW welding refers to using a shielding gas on the wire electrode, usually aluminum, for heating. 

MIG aluminum welders require a constant current power source to be able to operate. You can find this welding method on every industrial construction site and in most industries, such as construction and marine, because it can be automated.

Also known as the semi-automated welding technique, the MIG welding method depends on four determining factors:

  • Power supply – required to generate heat from electricity;
  • Wire feed system – comprises a special spool that feeds the welding wire onto the welding arc;
  • Control handle – manipulates the spool;
  • Shielding gas – shields air from the weld.

MIG welding doesn’t require any fancy equipment and can operate on a standard voltage and polarity. It only requires a DC direct current and a constant voltage power supply to operate.

Conclusion

While there are many other welding methods out there, the three we mentioned here are the most common methods that you can find on almost every construction site in the world. Although the most complicated one, TIG welding is probably the most effective and eco-friendly welding method. 

MIG is the most popular welding type, while arc welding is the most affordable method. If you need enterprise-grade welding expertise, we recommend going with the TIG method. Certain construction businesses may require two or more welding methods. The most important thing is that the operator has the necessary training, skill, expertise, and equipment for the job.