What is MIG welding?

In the late 1940s a welding process was developed which allowed for the fusion of aluminum. The process is known as MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas); also called GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). When you learn to MIG weld, you will realize that the process is semi-automatic or fully automatic. A wire, which is the electrode is connected to a DC power source, the wire is continuously passed through the gun of the welder at the same time as a stream of an inert gas. The gas acts as a shield which keeps any contaminates away from the weld as the two surfaces are fused.

When you learn to MIG weld you will realize how much faster it is than traditional “stick welding.”This makes it an ideal solution for welding softer metals, one such metal being aluminum. When the process was developed in the 1940s the gas was too expensive so using the process to weld metals such as steel was out of the picture. As the years rolled by, less expensive semi-inert gasses such as CO2 can now be used to shield the welding point; this migration from argon to CO2 has made the MIG welding of steel an everyday event.

As well as being able to weld aluminum, MIG welding also has these advantages;

1. A long continuous weld can be accomplished must faster than traditional methods
2. As the weld takes place under a shielding gas, the weld creates less splatter and is clean
3. MIG welding can be employed on many different materials

Although the advantages are real and the method is far superior to traditional stick welding, there are also some disadvantages that cannot be avoided;

1. The MIG welding equipment is complex. There is a need for a DC power supply as well as a steady flow of the gas and the steady application of the wire electrode.
2. The welding technique is very different than the technique normally used so there is a need to re-learn how to weld; even experienced welders have to go through a learning curve.
3. As the weld is happening under a gas blanket, MIG welding cannot be accomplished outdoors where the gas will blow away.

Although there are disadvantages, MIG welding is now commonplace is many industrial environments.

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