MIG Welding Los Angeles and OC

What is MIG Welding?

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is also known as GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). It creates a weld using a semi-automatic or fully automatic electric arc, with a consumable wire electrode as the filler material. This electrode can be composed of different materials, depending on the type of metal being worked on.

It also uses a shielding gas to protect the weld from reacting with the surrounding air. Usually, this is a mix of 75% argon and 25% CO2. This mixture can vary based on the metals involved: for example, 100% argon is used while welding aluminum.

MIG welding is easier to learn and master than TIG welding. Since the filler material is automatically fed through the welding gun, you only need to use one hand to make the weld. This makes MIG welding more portable and easier to use in the field.

Advantages of MIG Welding

MIG welding has several advantages over TIG welding. It’s much faster, because it employs a rounder and broader arc that dissipates heat better. This allows the welder to make longer runs without overheating. This speed, combined with the lower cost of MIG welding supplies and machines, makes it cheaper overall than TIG. Finally, MIG is easier to use in difficult positions since it only requires one hand.

Disadvantages of MIG Welding

What you gain with the speed of MIG welding, you lose in precision. Compared to TIG welds, MIG welds are messier and not as aesthetic. They are also less strong because they don’t penetrate as deeply into the metal.

Uses of MIG Welding

However, MIG welding has plenty of uses and is often the best working method for the project. It’s better suited than TIG welding to working with thick materials. If the aesthetic quality of your weld doesn’t matter, the faster speed and lower cost of MIG welding probably make it the more attractive option.

If you have any questions about the differences between MIG welding and TIG welding, and which type of weld would be best suited to your project, give HB Fab Co a call. We’ll have the answers.