Is laser welding as strong as MIG welding?

Which is better and stronger, fiber laser welding or MIG welding? This is a topic that many of our customers and friends often want to know. Both methods are currently used worldwide, and each method differs in terms of safety, weld quality and efficiency. Laser beam welding is safe, reliable and ideal for welding sheet metal of average thickness. On the other hand, MIG welding performs better for thicker metals.

Therefore, the right method generally depends on the type of application for a specific project. Overall, here are some suggestions from SUNNA to help you decide which welding method is right for you, fiber laser welding or MIG welding!

What is MIG welding?

MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas Welding), also known as Gas Shielded Arc Welding, is a common welding method that focuses on melting a metal workpiece by heating it with an electric arc and using a wire to fill a molten pool of metal that is protected by an inert gas, such as argon or helium. It is commonly used to weld metal materials such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Advantages:

●MIG welding is ideal for welding thicker metals. The method is suitable for a wide range of metal thicknesses.

●MIG welding is cheaper the first time you buy it. Although in the long run, it requires consumables (wire and inert gas), which can increase the total TOC.

Disadvantages:

●MIG welding requires a high level of operating skill. Beginners may make mistakes that can create safety hazards.

●MIG welding is not as accurate as laser welding.

●This welding method is slower than laser welding. Therefore, its productivity is relatively low.

●This welding method produces more HAZ (heat affected zone).

●MIG welding is not suitable for thin metal parts.

●MIG welding is more prone to porosity, spatter and inclusions.

●This welding method consumes material and increases the overall cost of the machine.

What is fiber laser welding?

Fiber laser welding is an emerging welding method that is currently a big hit. It is a method that uses a high energy density fiber laser as a heat source to melt or alloy the weld material by focusing a beam of light to complete the weld. At present, fiber laser welding is gradually replacing other welding methods to become the most popular welding method.

Advantages:

●Laser welding is fast and precise. The machine uses a highly focused laser beam that is projected only onto the area to be welded.

●Laser welding also produces less heat affected zone. This means that your metal parts will maintain their structural integrity after welding.

●This method may be more expensive initially, but will ultimately reduce operating costs.

●laser welding is very easy to work with.

Disadvantages:

●Laser welding may not be suitable for thicker metals.

●Laser welding is initially more costly compared to MIG welding

Which is better?

Fiber laser welding is not comparable to MIG welding in terms of weld strength and tends to be more effective, especially in thin plates and precision welding. However, in some cases of specialized materials or high strength requirements, MIG welding may be more suitable, especially when welding thicker metal parts.

Overall, the choice of welding method depends on factors such as material thickness, welding accuracy, productivity and cost. Fiber laser welding is a superior option to MIG welding if greater precision, a smaller heat affected zone and faster welding speeds are required.

If you are working with thin metals or precision parts, laser welding is definitely the way to go. As you know, laser welding is fast and accurate. Most importantly, it produces minimal distortion.

On the other hand, laser welding should be chosen for metals less than 20mm thick. It is better than MIG welding. However, if the thickness is more than 20mm, MIG welding is preferred.

Considering the quality and accuracy of the weld, laser welding is the best choice.

Contact Us

If you need any help, please feel free to contact us, we provide high quality fiber laser welding machines (handheld and desktop), and our team will provide you with the most honest and reliable advice to help your welding project to be successful.