What distinguishes MIG welding from TIG welding?

MIG welding, or Metal Inert Gas welding, is characterized by its use of a continuous solid wire as an electrode. This solid wire is fed through a welding gun, where it creates an arc with the workpiece, melting both the wire and the base material to form a weld. The shielding gas employed in MIG welding protects the molten pool from contamination by the atmosphere, ensuring a clean weld.

In contrast, TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas welding) relies on a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create the arc. While TIG can use a filler rod, it does not automatically require one, as the welder has the option to weld without additional filler material in some scenarios.

The primary distinction in the context of your question lies in the nature of the electrode used: MIG employs a consumable solid wire that becomes part of the weld, while TIG uses a stable tungsten electrode which remains intact. This fundamental difference is what makes the answer about MIG using a continuous solid wire accurate and significant in understanding the two welding processes.