Difference Between Arc Welding and Gas Welding
Last Updated on December 2, 2024
What is Welding?
Welding is a vital process in various industries like engineering, manufacturing, and construction. It is the procedure of joining and melting different kinds of materials together. There are various types of welding processes, including forge welding, arc welding, oxyfuel welding, electro-slag welding, and gas welding. Out of these, arc welding and gas welding are the most extensively used welding. Although focusing on similar output, there are many differences between arc welding and gas welding.
What is Arc Welding?
Arc welding is the process that uses an electric arc to generate intense heat that, in turn, melts the workpiece along with the electrode to create a solid piece. Arc welding is used to work with a large number. of metals, including steel, aluminium, and stainless steel, making it a highly versatile process that initiates with the electrode, after which an arc is formed on the anode as well as the workpiece.
Types of Arc Welding
Various types of arc welding processes include:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): Also known as stick welding, the electrode coated with flux is used in shielded metal arc welding.
- Gas Metal Arc Welding, or GMAW: Also known as MIG or metal-inert gas welding, gas metal arc welding is accompanied by continuously fed wire electrodes covered by a flow of inert gas. Commonly, argon gas is used to shield the weld pool.
- Tungsten inert gas welding or TIG welding: This process uses an inert-gas shielded coreless arc that is non-consumed and, therefore, not eroded by the welding action-tungsten electrode coupled with an external filler rod. This shielding provides very strict control of the weld pool, which is vital to quality welds in thin metal.
What is Gas Welding?
Gas welding is also known as oxyfuel welding, uses flame produced by burning a gas, mostly acetylene, that is mixed with oxygen to melt and join metals. The method is a simple one. The process is used in metalworking and automotive repair jobs. It has a slower heating process than arc welding.
Types of Gas Welding
Various types of Gas Welding are:
- Oxy-gasoline Welding: Pressurized gasoline is used in oxy-gasoline gas welding, and the gasoline torches used in the process are considered to be better than acetylene for welding thick plates.
- MAPP Gas Welding: Methyl Acetylene Propadiene Petroleum or MAPP welding is a gas that is safe to store at normal temperatures. They are used for brazing and soldering, along with welding.
- Butane or Propane: Butane or propane are organic compounds that are used in this process due to their economic value. Both gases can be mixed or used separately for welding as they are capable of producing flame. Usually, propane torches are used for brazing, heating, and soldering.
Difference Between Arc Welding and Gas Welding
| S. No. | Arc Welding | Gas Welding |
| 1 | Uses an electric arc to generate heat for melting and joining metals. | Employs combustion of gas fuel with oxygen to generate heat for welding. |
| 2 | Limited to electrically conductive metals. | Can weld both electrically conductive and non-conductive metals. |
| 3 | Requires a constant supply of electricity. | Operates without the need for electrical power. |
| 4 | No fuel or oxygen cylinders are needed. | Requires two cylinders: one for gaseous fuel (e.g., acetylene) and another for oxygen. |
| 5 | Uses flux-coated electrodes or inert gas for shielding. | Does not require shielding for the welding process. |
| 6 | Produces extremely high temperatures (over 6000 °C), suitable for high-melting-point metals. | Generates lower flame temperatures (around 3500 °C), limiting its use to low-melting-point metals. |
| 7 | Produces a narrow weld bead and a smaller heat-affected zone. | Creates a wider weld bead and a larger heat-affected zone. |
| 8 | High heat density ensures quick and efficient metal fusion. | Lower heat density requires more time, making it less economical. |
| 9 | Suitable for welding thick metal components. | Best suited for thin plates and sheet metals. |
| 10 | Automatically cleans the weld area through electron flow in the arc. | Requires pre-cleaning of the base metal as no arc cleaning occurs. |
| 11 | Primarily used for welding and not for other applications. | Versatile; can be used for welding, heating, cutting, brazing, soldering, and cleaning. |
Conclusion
Both arc welding and gas welding are essential techniques in the field of metal joining. It is never a question of arc welding vs gas welding. Both have their set of advantages and disadvantages suiting specific applications. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of each process is crucial for selecting the right method based on the material, project requirements, and desired outcomes. By leveraging their respective strengths, industries can achieve efficient, precise, and high-quality welds that meet diverse manufacturing and construction needs.
FAQs
The main difference is that gas welding uses gas to melt and join metals, whereas arc welding uses an electrode to join and melt metals. The gas used in the former type of welding is essentially fuel in a gas state. The electrode used in the latter type of welding, on the other hand, is a set of coated wires.
Arc welding is generally more strong than gas welding, but the strength of a weld depends on a number of factors, including the material to be welded and the skill of the welder.
The advantages of gas welding over arc welding are:
– No requirement for electricity
– Easy to use
– Ability to weld dissimilar metals
Generally, arc welding is faster than gas welding. This is due to the following factors:
– Arc welding requires less pre-heating.
– Arc welding has a quicker set-up time.
