Types of welding explained, and which your part needs

MIG, TIG, stick and flux-cored welding compared in plain language: what each is good for, which materials, and how to spec the right one for a custom part.

Quick answer: The four welding processes you will actually buy are MIG (fast, cheap, structural steel), TIG (precise, clean, aluminum and stainless), stick or SMAW (rugged, outdoor and repair) and flux-cored or FCAW (thick steel, field work). Most custom weldments use MIG or TIG. Match the process to material, thickness and whether the weld has to look clean, then spec certification (CWB to CSA W47.1) if the work is structural.

The four processes, plainly

Each process is a different way to melt metal and add filler. The differences that matter to a buyer are speed, cleanliness, what materials they suit and where they can work.

MIG and TIG cover most custom parts

If you are ordering a weldment, it is almost certainly MIG or TIG. MIG is the fast, economical default for structural steel and fabrication; TIG is the precise choice for aluminum, stainless, thin wall and anything visible. That decision covers roughly 90 percent of custom work, and it is worth getting right, so it has its own guide: MIG vs TIG welding. The short version is MIG unless the part is thin, aluminum, stainless or on display.

When stick and flux-cored earn their place

Stick welding is the process that does not care about the weather or a bit of rust. It is why pipeline and structural crews still run it in an Alberta field in February while the TIG setup stays in the heated shop. Flux-cored lays down thick steel fast and works outdoors, which is why heavy structural and field welding leans on it. Neither is pretty, both are rugged, and for the right job they beat the cleaner processes.

Certification is the part that gets inspected

For structural and load-bearing work in Canada, the process matters less than the paperwork. CWB certification to CSA Standard W47.1 (steel) or W47.2 (aluminum) is commonly mandatory, and an engineer of record checks it first. Say up front whether your job needs it, and we route only to certified shops. The Edmonton oil-and-gas fabricators live by this.

What to send for a quote

Material and grade, section thickness, whether the weld is structural, sealed or cosmetic, any finish, certification requirements, and quantity. Request quotes and we match you to Canadian welding shops that run the right process for your part.

FAQ

What is the most common type of welding?

MIG (GMAW) is the most widely used for fabrication and production because it is fast and economical on steel. TIG is second and dominates aluminum, stainless and precision work.

Which welding is strongest?

Any process makes a full-strength weld when done correctly to the right procedure. Strength comes from process selection, joint prep, filler and a qualified welder, not from the process name alone.

What welding is best for aluminum?

TIG for most aluminum work, or MIG with a spool gun for thicker sections. Aluminum needs clean material and argon shielding, and structural aluminum welding falls under CSA W47.2.

What is the difference between MIG and TIG?

MIG feeds wire continuously and is fast; TIG uses a hand-fed rod and is slower but more precise and cleaner. The full comparison is in MIG vs TIG welding.

Do I need a certified welder?

For structural and load-bearing work in Canada, generally yes, to CWB and CSA W47.1. For non-structural brackets and light assemblies, often not. Tell us the job and we route accordingly.

Last reviewed: July 2026. Related reading: MIG vs TIG welding and laser vs plasma vs waterjet cutting.