From MIG Welding Guide
Chapter List
- Chapter 1: The MIG Welding Process
- Chapter 2: Equipment for MIG Welding
- Chapter 3: Shielding Gases in MIG Welding
- Chapter 4: Consumables in MIG Welding
- Chapter 5: Flux Cored Arc Welding
- Chapter 6: Pulsed MIG Welding
- Chapter 7: MIG Brazing
K WEMAN, Wemab AB, Sweden
1.1 Introduction
Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) also called MIG (metal inert gas) if the shielding gas is inert, for example argon, or MAG (metal active gas) if the gas has a content of an active gas such as CO 2. In Europe the process is usually called MIG/MAG or just MIG welding.
The process is used in a wide range of plate thicknesses even though it has been most dominant in thin sheet welding. This is because of its easiness in starting and stopping and thereby its relatively high productivity. Compared to stick electrode (MMA) welding there is no need for the frequent electrode changes and slag removal.
The principle of MIG welding is that a metallic wire is fed through the welding gun and melted in an arc. The wire serves the dual purpose of acting as the current-carrying electrode and as the weld metal filler wire. Electrical energy for the arc is supplied by a welding power source. The arc and the pool of molten material are protected by a shielding gas, which is either inert or active. In this context, an inert gas is one that does not react with the molten material. Examples of gases in this...
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Topics of Interest
Chapter List Chapter 8: Improving Productivity in MIG/MAG Methods Chapter 9: Assessing Weld Quality in MIG Welding Chapter 10: Occupational Health and Safety in MIG Welding Chapter 11:...
12.1 Development of Gas Shielded Arc Welding Originally the process was evolved in America in 1940 for welding in the aircraft industry. It developed into the tungsten inert-gas shielded arc process...
The Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), process is commonly known as the Metal Inert Gas Process (MIG). MIG welding is also referred to as short circuit transfer. In the MIG arc welding process, metal parts...
Until the 1970s, manual metal arc was the most dominant method of welding. Today MIG/MAG is the obvious leading contender in most industrial countries. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) can also be...
IG Welding (GMAW or Gas Metal Arc Welding) — An arc welding process which joins metals by heating them with an arc. The arc is between a continuously fed filler metal (consumable) electrode and the...
