MIG Welding Introduction
What is Metal inert gas welding? (MIG, GMAW)
MIG welding is a metal shielding gas welding process (GMAW) with inert gas, in which the light arc burns between a continuously fed melting wire electrode and the material. The melting electrode supplies the additive material for forming the weld. MIG welding can be used simply and economically with nearly all materials that are suitable for welding. Different shielding gases are used, depending on the requirement and the material.
How is MIG simple and versatile?
In MIG welding the supplied inert gas protects the electrode, the arc and the weld pool from the atmosphere. This ensures good welding results with high melting rates under very different conditions. So-called inert gases are used as protective gases. Depending on the material, argon or an argon-helium mix is usually used, in rare cases also pure helium. Different wire electrodes are used, depending on the requirement. MIG welding is a robust, economic and versatile welding process. It enables the creation of clean, very strong welds that require little after-working, and is suitable for manual, mechanized and automated processes.
What materials can be MIG welded?
MIG welding is particularly suitable for welding high-alloy steels, non-ferrous metals like aluminum, nickel, copper and magnesium, and special materials such as titanium. To achieve optimum results, high-alloy steels and aluminium are frequently welding in the MIG pulse light arc process. This ensures practically spatter-free welding and excellent welding results. Depending on the requirement for the weld and the welding results, different types of arcs and welding processes are used.