Metal Inert Gas welding – better known as MIG welding- is a welding process pioneered in 1948 by the Battelle Memorial Institute, a non-profit science and development company based in Ohio, USA. Otherwise known as Gas Metal Arc Welding, the MIG technique was principally developed to weld aluminium, as well as other non-ferrous metals. MIG weldingis an automatic or semi-automatic process, which uses electrode-based welding equipment to fuse metal together. Inert gas also passes through the welding gun, acting as a shield which keeps the weld zone free of air-borne contaminants.
When put side by side with the old-fashioned ‘stick welding’ techniques, MIG welding is capable of fusing metal together extremely quickly. This is why the process has become so popular, as it is perfect for welding soft metals. Initially, MIG welding supplies were quite expensive to buy, which made the process impractical for welding steel in mass production manufacturing. The first MIG welding guns created a gas shield using argon, which was costly to obtain. However, MIG welding techniques have steadily improved over time, and semi-inert gases like carbon dioxide can now be used for shielding, which has made the process cost effective for mainstream use.
As well as enabling the welding of non-ferrous metals, MIG welding also has a number of other advantages compared to traditional techniques. MIG welding can produce continuous welds much faster and longer 3569 mfg general industrial machinery than other processes, and creates much cleaner welds with far less unwanted splatter. The technique is also extremely versatile, and can be used to weld a wide range of different alloys and metals.
However, operatives should be aware that the technique should not be carried out without proper training. MIG welding equipments complicated to install, and both a constant flow of gas and a source of direct current are required to operate it. In practice, the technique is also fundamentally different to traditional welding global deicer troubleshooting processes, which means that even welding veterans will need to extensive retraining before they can competently operate MIG welding equipment.Because of the need for an inert gas shield, MIG welding equipment must also be installed in a secure environment, as an air current will interfere with the shielding process.
Despite these restrictions, MIG welding remains an extremely popular welding technique, and is now commonly used in a variety of manufacturing operations. Due to the speed and precision of the process,MIG weldinghas become particularly popular in the automobile industry, but it is also used in a wide range of smaller metalworking operations as well. If you would like to know more about obtaining MIG welding supplies, contact a specialist retailer like , who will be able to help you find the right equipment for your business needs.
