Comparison of MIG/MAG welding Vs MMA/Stick Welding

Comparison of  MIG/ MAG Welding and MMA/Stick Welding 

MIG Welding –

Advantages:

1. Because of continuously fed electrode, MIG welding process is much faster as compared to TIG or stick electrode welding.

2. Better deep joint penetration with good bead contour and little tendency to undercut as compared to argon.

3. Thick and thin, both types of work pieces can be welded effectively.

4. Large metal deposition rates are achieved by MIG welding process.

5. The process can be easily mechanized.

6. No flux is used. MIG welding produces smooth, neat, clean and spatter free welded surfaces which require no further cleaning. This helps reducing total welding cost.

7. Higher arc travel speeds associated with MIG welding reduce distortion considerably.          

MMA or Stick Welding -

Advantages:

1. Flux Shielded Manual Metal Arc Welding is the simplest of all the arc welding processes.

2. The equipment can be portable and the cost is fairly low.

3. This process finds innumerable applications, because of the availability of a wide variety of electrodes.

4. A big range of metals and their alloys can be welded.

5. Welding can be carried out in any position with highest weld quality.

6. The process can be very well employed for hard facing and metal deposition to reclaim parts or to develop other characteristics like wear resistance etc.  

7. Joints (e.g. between nozzles and shell in a pressure vessel) which because of their position are difficult to be welded by automatic welding machines are easily accomplished by flux shielded metal arc welding.