4.3.5 Advantages and Limitations of the GMAW Process
The main advantages of the GMAW process are its application to a wide variety of materials, higher
deposition rate and productivity compared to the shielded metal arc welding process (Figure 4.20) and
the better quality of the deposited weld metal. As well, with the recently developed advanced welding
power sources and the availability of smaller diameter wires (0.9 and 1.1mm diameter), welding
procedures can be developed to apply the process in all welding positions, both in semi-automatic and
automatic modes.