| Metal |
Thickness in. (mm) |
Recommended Shielding Gas |
Advantages |
MIG SHORT ARC
|
| Carbon Steel |
Up to 14 gauge (0.1) |
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Good burnthrough and distortion control. Used also for spray arc welding |
|
14 gauge - 1/8 (3.2) |
75% Argon / 25% CO2 88% Argon / 12% CO2 |
High welding speeds without burnthrough. Minimum distortion and spatter. Best puddle control for out of position welding. Provides best mechanical properties for any given wire |
|
Over 1/8 (3.2) |
75% Argon / 25% CO2 88% Argon / 12% CO2 |
High welding speeds without burnthrough. Minimum distortion and spatter. Best puddle control for out of position welding. Provides best mechanical properties for any given wire |
|
|
50% Argon / 50% CO2 |
Deep penetration; spatter |
|
|
CO2 |
Deep penetration; faster welding speeds; high spatter |
| Stainless Steel |
Up to 14 gauge (0.1) |
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Good burnthrough and distortion control. For use where corrosion resistance is not mandatory |
|
Over 14 gauge (0.1) |
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Good burnthrough and distortion control. For use where corrosion resistance is not mandatory |
|
|
90% He 7.5% Ar 2.5% CO2 |
No effect of corrosion resistance. Small heat-affected zone. No undercutting, minimum distortion. Good bead shape and mechanical properties |
| High Yield Strength Steels |
Up to 14 gauge (0.1) |
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Good burnthrough and distortion control. Used also for spray arc welding |
|
Over 14 gauge (0.1) |
Argon - Hydrogen |
Excellent arc stability, welding characteristics bead contour, little spatter, high impacts |
MIG SPRAY ARC
|
| Carbon Steel |
All thicknesses |
95% Argon / 5% O2 |
Improves droplet rate and arc stability |
|
|
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Produces a more fluid and controllable weld puddle; good coalescence and bead contour. Minimizes undercutting; permits high speeds |
| Aluminum |
Up to 3/8 (12.7) |
Argon |
Best metal transfer, arc stability and plate cleaning. Little or no spatter. |
|
Over 3/8 (12.7) |
Argon - Helium |
Higher heat input. Produces more fluid puddle and flatter bead. Minimizes porosity. |
|
|
Helium |
Highest heat input. Good for mechanized welding. |
| Low Alloy Steel |
Up to 3/32 (2.4) |
98% Argon / 2% O2 |
Reduces undercutting. Improves coalescence and bead contour. Good mechanical properties. |
|
Over 3/32 (2.4) |
92% Argon / 8% CO2 |
Excellent arc and weld characteristics. |
| Stainless Steel |
All thicknesses |
99% Argon / 1% O2 |
Good arc stability. Produces a fluid and controllable weld puddle; good coalescence and bead contour. Minimizes undercutting. |
|
|
98% Argon / 2% O2 |
Can be used on more sluggish alloys to improve puddle fluidity, coalescence and bead contour. |
| Copper, Nickel & Copper-Nickel alloys |
Up to 1/8 (3.2) |
Argon |
Good arc stability. |
|
Over 1/8 (3.2) |
Argon - Helium |
Higher heat input of helium mixture offsets high heat conductivity of heavier gauges. |
|
|
Helium |
Higher heat input and improved Penetration. |
| Magnesium Titanium |
-- |
Argon |
Excellent cleaning action. Provides more stable arc than helium-rich mixtures |
MIG CORED WIRE
|
| Carbon Steel |
All thicknesses |
CO2 |
Deep penetration. |
|
|
75% Argon / 25% CO2 |
Low smoke and spatter. Good puddle control. Bridges gaps |
| Stainless Steel |
All thicknesses |
CO2 |
Deep penetration. |
|
|
75% Argon / 25% CO2 |
Low smoke and spatter. Good puddle control. Bridges gaps |