Top Notch Welders​

If you need a structural welder, pipe welder, or mobile welder, Top Notch Welders has you covered.

Top Notch Welders is a mobile welding service. We travel to job sites throughout the US and provide precision arc welding; TIG welding, MIG welding, Flux Core welding, and Stick welding.

We get the job done right…the first time. On time, and on budget.

We specialize in new build, structural fabrication and repair, pipe welding, and piping system fabrication.

When it comes to arc welding services, there are several options available to meet various welding needs.

Four of the most popular types of arc welding processes that Top Notch Welders can provide include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW).

SMAW, also known as stick welding, is a versatile and widely used method that allows for welding of steel, stainless steel, and cast iron. It’s commonly used in construction, pipeline welding, maintenance, and repair work.

GMAW, also referred to as MIG welding, is advantageous for its high productivity and ability to join non-ferrous materials like aluminum, copper, and stainless steel. This makes it suitable for automotive manufacturing, metal fabrication, and general metalwork.

GTAW, also called TIG welding, offers precise control over the welding process and can be used with various metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. It finds applications in industries like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and power generation.

FCAW is similar to GMAW but uses a tubular wire electrode filled with flux, eliminating the need for external shielding gas. It’s commonly used in heavy industry, structural steel fabrication, shipbuilding, and offshore construction.

Overall, these arc welding services provide a range of solutions to accommodate different materials, project requirements, and industrial applications.

GMAW | FCAW | GTAW | SMAW

We can utilize the following weld processes to complete any project:

• GMAW: Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
• FCAW: Flux Core Arc Welding (Dual Shield)
• GTAW: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG)
  • GTAW-P: Pulsed Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Pulse TIG)
• SMAW: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

TNW also provides disassembly / breakdown / destruction services using Oxyfuel cutting torches.

We can work with all grades of carbon steel, structural steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Arc welding is a widely used method for joining metals together. It creates an electric arc between an electrode and the workpiece, generating intense heat to melt and fuse the metals.

This versatile welding technique has several variations, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. In this article, we will explore the different types of arc welding and their various industrial uses.

Types of Arc Welding

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Shielded Metal Arc Welding, commonly known as stick welding, is one of the oldest and most basic forms of arc welding. It utilizes a consumable electrode covered in flux, which serves multiple purposes.

The flux shield protects the molten metal from contaminants, such as oxygen and nitrogen, while providing a protective slag layer that solidifies over the weld, preventing atmospheric contamination. SMAW is suitable for welding steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and other ferrous materials.

It finds extensive applications in construction, pipeline welding, maintenance and repair work, and even in artistic projects.

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Gas Metal Arc Welding, also known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is a highly popular arc welding process.

In GMAW, a continuous solid wire electrode is fed through a welding gun along with a shielding gas, typically a combination of argon and carbon dioxide. The shielding gas protects the molten weld pool from atmospheric contamination and provides additional control over the welding process.

MIG welding is widely utilized in automotive manufacturing, fabrication shops, and general metalwork.

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

Flux-Cored Arc Welding is a variation of GMAW that uses a tubular wire electrode filled with flux instead of a solid wire.

This flux creates a protective gas shield, eliminating the need for an external shielding gas. For extra protection, it can also be used with a shielding gas, in which case the process is referred to as dual-shield.

FCAW is often preferred for outdoor welding or in environments with strong air currents that may disperse the shielding gas. It is commonly used in heavy industry, structural steel fabrication, shipbuilding, and offshore construction.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, also known as Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, is a precise arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert gas, such as argon or helium, for shielding.

GTAW produces high-quality welds with excellent control over heat input and weld penetration. It is suitable for welding thin materials, exotic metals, and alloys, including aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

TIG welding is widely utilized in industries such as aerospace, nuclear power, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage.

Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)

Submerged Arc Welding, also known as Sub Arc welding, is a semi-automatic arc welding process that utilizes a powdered flux and a continuously fed electrode. The flux covers the arc and molten weld pool, preventing atmospheric contamination and providing a protective layer to the weld.

SAW is ideal for welding thick sections of steel, often used in shipbuilding, pressure vessel manufacturing, and heavy machinery construction.

Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)

Plasma Arc Welding employs a concentrated plasma arc to melt the workpiece and create a weld. The plasma arc is generated by passing a gas, such as argon or nitrogen, through a narrow nozzle and energizing it with an electric current. PAW offers high precision and control, making it suitable for welding small and delicate components, as well as conductive materials like stainless steel, copper, and titanium alloys. PAW is commonly used in medical device manufacturing, aerospace, and electronics industries.

Arc welding encompasses a range of techniques, each designed to meet specific welding requirements and cater to various industrial applications. From the simplicity of Shielded Metal Arc Welding to the precision of Plasma Arc Welding, these methods provide engineers, fabricators, and welders with versatile options for joining different metals together. Whether it’s constructing buildings, assembling automobiles, or manufacturing intricate components, arc welding plays a vital role in the modern industrial landscape.