Final answer:
The three most common types of welding are GMAW or MIG, GTAW or TIG, and SMAW or stick welding, each using different techniques and equipment to join metal materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three most common types of welding are:
- GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), commonly known as MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding.
- GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), also known as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.
- SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), often referred to as stick welding.
GMAW/MIG welding uses an electric arc formed between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece metal(s), which heats the workpiece metal(s), causing them to melt and join. GTAW/TIG welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld and allows for the melting of the metals without the use of a filler material. SMAW/stick welding uses an electrode coated in a protective flux that prevents oxidation and allows for welding in various positions and environments.