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MIG welding

Advantage Fabricated Metals performs a number of welding processes. The two most common welding processes we use include TIG, an acronym for Tungsten Inert Gas welding and MIG, an acronym for Metal Inert Gas welding. TIG is also referred to as GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) and Heliarc®. MIG also is referred to as GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). We also provide oxy-acetylene welding.

The "Metal" in Gas Metal Arc Welding refers to the wire that is what is used to start the arc. It is shielded by inert gas and the feeding wire also acts as the filler rod. A semi-automatic process, it is fairly easy to learn and use.

Characteristics of the MIG welding process

MIG:

Uses a consumable wire electrode during the welding process that is fed from a spool,
Provides a uniform weld bead,
Produces a slag-free weld bead,
Uses a shielding gas, usually – argon, argon - 1 to 5% oxygen, argon - 3 to 25% CO₂ and a combination argon/helium gas,
Is considered a semi-automatic welding process,
Allows welding in all positions,
Requires less operator skill than TIG welding,
Allows long welds to be made without starts or stops,
Needs little cleanup.

The illustration that follows provides a look at a typical MIG welding process showing an arc that is formed between the wire electrode and the workpiece. During the MIG welding process, the electrode melts within the arc and becomes deposited as filler material. The shielding gas that is used prevents atmospheric contamination from and protects the weld during solidification. The shielding gas, forms the arc plasma, stabilizes the arc on the metal being welded, shields the arc and molten weld pool, and allows smooth transfer of metal from the weld wire to the molten weld pool.

MIG welding process - illustration

Versatility is the major benefit of the MIG welding process. It is capable of joining most types of metals and it can be performed in most positions, even though flat horizontal is most optimum.

Even though it is considered welding’s most versatile process, there are a number of problems associated with MIG welding. These include:

Burnback
Metal hardening
Reduction in metal fatigue strength
Poor appearance
Creation of cracks and porosity
Reduction of corrosion resistance - in the welding zone
Heavily oxidized weld deposit
Irregular wire feed
Porosity
Unstable arc

The most common welds are illustrated below. They include the:

lap joint
butt joint
T-joint, and the
edge joint

MIG weld joints - illustration

MIG is used to weld many materials, and different gases are uses to form the arc depending on the materials to be welded together. Argon is normally used to weld mild steel, aluminum, titanium, and alloy metals. Helium is used to weld mild steel and titanium in high speed process and also copper and stainless steel. Carbon dioxide is most often used to weld carbon and low alloy steels. Magnesium and cast iron are other metals commonly welded used the MIG process.

View an overview of our welding services any of the metal forming processes offered by Advantage Fabricated Metals.

For more information about Advantage Fabricated Metals and the metal fabricating services we provide, please fill out our contact form or call us at 1-815-323-1310.

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Advantage Fabricated Metals
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3575 Morreim Drive • Belvidere, Illinois 61008
Phone: 1-815-323-1310 • Fax: 1-815-323-1317
Email: info@advantagefabricatedmetals.com