Arc welding, a generic term, is a procedure which creates an electric arc between an electrode and the parts to assemble.

Electric arc welding with covered electrodes
This is the most popular welding process. By bringing the electrode coated parts to be assembled to, establishing an electric arc that produces a strong calorific value, causing the melting of the electrode: coated electrodes for welding carbon steel or low alloy. Coated electrodes for welding of stainless steels.

Arc welding electrodes fuses: TIG welding
The electric arc is established between the plates to be welded and an electrode in W fuse not protected by an inert gas (argon or helium). TIG stands for “Tungsten Inert Gas”, where the word “Tungsten (Tungsten) designates the electrode and the words” inert gas (inert gas) designate the type of gas used plasmagenes. This welding process falls into the category of procedures arc welding electrode with a fuse. The arc is created between the refractory electrode (- generator) and the piece (+ generator) under a gas flow, in general, it is a gas or a mixture of rare gases. The welding T.I.G. is mostly used for welding thin sheets and more particularly for all difficult to weld metals. Among these metals, mention aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, copper and its alloys and carbon steels of different thicknesses.
Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes 1% and 2% are particularly used for welding low alloy steels (mild steel). This type of electrode requires lower amperage.

Tungsten electrodes zirconium have the highest melting point and are more commonly used for welding aluminum.
Equivalents:
- Arc Welding GTAW Gas tungt, according to American standards – Procedure 141, according to ISO 4063

Arc welding electrodes wired fuses: MIG-MAG welding
MIG-MAG welding is a semiautomatic welding process. The atmosphere of protection varies depending on the type used: MIG or MAG:
- For MIG (Metal Inert Gas) using helium, argon or a mixture of both
- For the MAG (Metal Active Gas) uses a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide.
With this type of active protection, you can only weld steel.
In the case of MIG, the gas is inert, ie does not react with the metal. Conversely, for the MAG, the gas must react with the metal and, therefore, be active.
Equivalents:
- Metal Inert Gas
- Metal Active Gas
- GMAW: Gas Metal Arc Welding (using a solid wire electrode), according to American standards.
- FCAW: Flux Core Arc Welding (uses a flux cored wire, cored wire called), according to American standards.
- Procedure 131 (MIG) or 135 (MAG), according to ISO 4063.

Plasma Welding
Plasma welding is a welding process automatically. Plasma sets the high energy state caused by constriction of an electric arc through a diaphragm or nozzle. Plasma The procedure is the great technological developments of the free arc inert gas (TIG procedure). Plasma welding is used mainly for stainless steels, as well as noble metals and alloys.
PAW: Plasma Arc Welding, according to American standards.