Welding using a metal inert gas (MIG) welder is really not difficult. Using a MIG welder is easy with the right MIG gas.
Plenty of MIG gas options
MIG welding is a simple, easy and popular welding process that uses electricity and MIG gas to melt and join metal. Luckily, when it comes to picking the right gas to use, there are plenty of options.
Why do you need MIG gas?
You need MIG gas in order to shield the weld from the air. But it’s not just the case of picking a MIG gas randomly. Basically, you need to make the right choice of MIG gas to:
- Determine the depth of the weld
- Determine the characteristics of the welding arc
- Determine the weld’s mechanical properties.
How to get your gas choice right
Rent Free Gas can help advise you as to what is the best MIG gas to use in your particular case.
Argon can be used for your MIG welding, especially for steel and aluminium, and Argon 5-2 is also great for mild steel welding. Some other common MIG gases are CO2 and Oxygen, with Helium being the least common.
Often, these gases will be fixed together, although Argon and carbon dioxide can be used as a pure MIG gas. In many cases, up to three MIG gases can be combined; typically Argon, CO2 and Helium, or Argon, CO2 and O2.
Pure CO2 as a MIG gas can produce the deepest penetrating welds, although the welds can also be rough. A MIG gas made up of CO2 and Argon is very popular, although if you are welding stainless steel, the best MIG gas mix is probably mostly Argon and CO2.
MIG gas advantages
Welding with MIG gas is great, because:
- Welding a large number of metals and thicknesses is easy
- The welt bead is good
- Weld splatter is minimised
- Welding with MIG gas is easy to learn and master.
MIG gas disadvantages
- Welding with MIG gas can be limited for very thick metal
- MIG gas welding is less portable than arc welding
- The weld is slightly less controlled than TIG welding.
Need MIG gas? Call Rent Free Gas today on 0404 677 187 to get rent-free gas bottles for your next welding project.