Application of MIG and TIG Welding in Automobile Industry

Abstract

Emission and weight reduction have been identified over the years by the automobile industries as the most efficient ways to maintain fuel economy and to meet the demand of the government agencies on global warming. These challenges of reducing emission and weight are even being compounded with consumers taste for luxury features which adds to the weight of the traditional vehicle designs. To meet these demands, alloys such are Aluminium Alloys, Magnesium Alloys and Titanium Alloys have been identified as the suitable materials to replace conventional steel structures due to their superior properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, high tensile strength and high-temperature performance. With the identification of suitable materials to replace the traditional materials, the welding of alloy materials remains a challenge faced by vehicle manufacturers. Although electron beam welding, ultrasonic welding and friction stir welding have proven to give quality weld joints of alloys used in automobile fabrication, their application is limited by the high cost of equipment, need for vacuum environment in electron beam welding, size and shape of base metals. Laser welding with its reduced heat affected zone (HAZ), good seam appearance and deep penetration has widely been applied in an automobile. However, it is not with its own shortcomings such as poor gap bridging capability, difficulty in welding reflective materials and high cost. Arc welding with its low cost compared to other welding techniques and high energy efficiency, therefore, remains a useful welding process in an automobile. In this paper, a review of the various investigations by researchers on MIG and TIG welding of alloys used in the automobile have been documented.