Gas Metal Arc Welding
During Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) also known as Metal Inert Gas or MIG welding, an electric arc is created between the workpiece and a consumable bare wire electrode. The arc constantly melts the wire as it is fed to the weld puddle. The weld metal is shielded from the atmosphere by a flow of an inert gas, or gas mixture.
The mig welding process operates on direct current, usually with the wire electrode positive. This is known as reverse polarity. Straight polarity is seldom used because of poor transfer of molten metal from the wire electrode to the workpiece. Welding currents of from 50 amperes up to more than 600 amperes are commonly used at welding voltages of 15V to 32V. A steady, self correcting arc is acquired by using the constant potential voltage power system and an unvarying wire feed speed. Ongoing developments have made the MIG process pertinent to the welding of all commercially significant metals such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and several others.
Materials above .030 in. (.76 mm) thick can be welded in all positions, including flat, vertical and overhead. Choosing the equipment, wire electrode, shielding gas, and welding conditions capable of producing high-quality welds at a low cost is uncomplicated.
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