General Information About MIG Welding

Known as one of the gas metal arc welding types, in this method the arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece. The arc occurs under a shielding gas atmosphere such as argon, helium, CO2, or various gas mixtures. The consumable electrode is fed automatically into the weld zone through a nozzle. Because this automatically fed electrode also melts, it simultaneously acts as the filler material.

What Is MIG Welding

MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. The MIG welding method is a metal arc welding process performed under the shielding effect of helium, argon, or mixtures of these gases. In this type of welding, melting occurs where the arc forms between the workpiece and the electrode. The electrode, whose feed speed is controlled, is fed into the weld zone as a spooled wire. Shielding gas is blown from the torch, forming a gas layer between the molten pool and the surrounding air.

Arc formation in MIG gas metal arc welding (top left), appearance of a MIG weld (top right)

Manual MIG welding is performed semi-automatically. If the torch is held too close to the part during welding, the current automatically rises, causing the wire to melt faster; this also affects the arc length. If the torch is held too far from the workpiece, the welding current automatically decreases and the normally set arc length shortens further. During this process, the welder must keep the arc length at a consistent height.

How MIG welding, which holds an important place among gas metal arc welding methods, is performed

Appearance of a MIG gas metal arc weld

Components of MIG Welding

The components of MIG gas metal arc welding equipment consist of the welding machine, wire feed mechanism, gas metal arc torch, and shielding gas unit.

MIG Welding Equipment

MIG Welding Hardware

Which gases are used in gas metal arc welding?

Shielding gases used with gas metal arc welding methods can include argon, helium, and carbon dioxide in varying proportions (shown above).