Guidelines to Understand Gas Welding: Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages

Published on 19 January 2022

5 min

We are all aware of welding, as an overarching concept. Some of us might still be figuring out different kinds of welding. Gas welding is one of these commonly used types of welding. Let’s start this blog article with the very explanation of Gas Welding.

Gas welding is the process of joining two metals using heat generated by the flames. The transmission of this heat thus melts the two and joins them ultimately, to act as one piece after the welding is done. To get this done, the welder requires welding material that creates high-temperature flames. Oxygen mixed with gases like propylene, butane and hydrogen are the kinds of flammable gases used.

The electrode most commonly used to join the two metals is tungsten. Therefore, this type of welding is also called gas tungsten arc welding or TIG. Other names for the same are, gas metal arc welding or GMAW welding.

It is one of the original forms of heat-based welding and is applicable to a wide variety of fields since it is easier to maneuver and master as well as it costs less than most types of welding.

Application of gas welding

Repairing existing machinery, tools, equipment and other things made of metal is one of the most obvious uses of GMAW welding.
Medium and thin sheets of metals are welded with ease using gas welding materials.
It is also used in the locomotive industries, including automobile and aircraft industries respectively.

Advantages of gas welding

Gas welding does not require electricity to operate, unlike most forms of welding. The gas welding material is sustaining without electricity, as opposed to arc welding. This makes it usable in areas that do not have electricity, making it a saviour for all!
This doesn’t require any heavy-duty or specialised machinery and therefore costs less than most forms of welding as well.
Beginners can master gas welding rather quickly, making it one of the simplest types of welding and easy to access for welders and workers who haven’t specialised. This opens doors and opportunities for all, and increases the likelihood of employment as well.
One wild and crazy advantage of gas welding is that it can weld ferrous metals with non-ferrous metals as well! I know, crazy right?

Disadvantages of gas welding

While gas welding is apt for thinner sheets, it isn’t cut out for thicker sections of a machine, chair, automobile, or whatever it is that one is working on.
The rate of heating is quite slow which makes it slower as an entire process. It is easier than other types of welding, but also requires more patience.
It does not reach the same temperatures as that of arc welding. Therefore, it isn’t the ideal type of welding for high-strength steels.
It is missing a dedicated flux shielding system, thus it might not meet someone’s requirement if that is what they are looking for.

Now that you know all about gas welding: its applications, advantages as well as disadvantages, we hope it helps you make a well-informed decision as to which type of welding will match and fit your needs and requirements.

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