MIG welding, or Metal Inert Gas welding, is a technique that we use for both thick sheet sections and thin sheet components. As the name suggests, inert gas and thin metal wire are used in MIG welding. Many people around the world prefer the use of braze welding as well. But one of the widely used methods is MIG wire welding over other welding methods like stick welding, TIG welding, etc., as it is easier to learn and is time preserving.
Though it is easier to learn, without proper training and precautions, it could also lead to disastrous outcomes. So here are some tips for proper MIG wire welding for an excellent finish.
Before starting the welding work, ensure proper safety measures around you. Make sure to have proper ‘Personal Protective Gears,’ which include rubber gloves, boots, flame-resistant jackets, a welding helmet, safety glasses, etc.
Apart from your safety, ensure the proper protection of your workplace. Remove every ignitable object from your workplace, and have a fire extinguisher available for any hazardous situation. Check for any loose connections or broken cords before starting.
Equipment preparation
Before starting the welding job, check that all your equipment is of sound quality and in a condition to work. Adjust the tension on the wire spool and ensure that the shielding gas flow rate is 20-25 cubic feet per hour for favorable results.
If you feel gas leaks from somewhere, instantly switch off the gas supply and fix the leak before continuing the welding job. Check all the cables and connections, ensure all the plugs are correctly connected, and ensure all the wires are in proper condition.
Prepare metal
Oil, rust, dirt, or any other contamination can harm the MIG wire welding technique as it is unsuitable for those things. Remove every type of contaminant from the metal before starting. You can use metal brushes or grinders to remove contaminants from the metal.
Also, make sure that the work clamps are connected to clean metal. Any contamination will affect the welding performance. Bevel the joints, especially in the case of butt joints, to ensure the weld is done correctly on thick metals.
Select Wire Accordingly
Wire plays an essential role in the MIG wire welding process. In the case of steel, two types of Wire are used, ER70S-3 and ER70S-6. The former is used for all-purpose welding jobs, mainly for rusty or dirty steel. You can select wires other than steel based on the thickness and heat required.
For thick metals with high input heat, wires of diameter ranging from 0.35 to 0.45 inches should be preferred over the rest. A Wire of 0.23-0.35 inch diameter for thinner metals can reduce the heat input.
Gas Selection
An inert gas is used in the MIG wire welding process to shield the hot welded material from atmospheric gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. These atmospheric gases can make the weld weak and not durable. Gases like Carbon dioxide, Argon, and Helium should be used for shielding purposes.
Oxygen is utilized as a minor ingredient in welding shielding gases. Know the details of oxygen supply from this website https://www.tollgas.com/minneapolis-oxygen-supply/
The most common gas used for the process is Carbon Dioxide, as it is the cheapest of all. But in the case of steel, Argon is preferred more over Carbon Dioxide. In some cases, a mixture of Argon and Carbon dioxide is used for the best results. Thus, gas selection is essential for the perfect weld.
Use of Correct Weld Technique
For the best results, try to perfect your welding technique. You must take care of the travel and work angle. A travel angle of 10-15 degrees is the right to work correctly. It can lead to less penetration and increased instability if found beyond that.
There are various techniques for different types of joints and welding positioning. In the case of horizontal welding, the working angle of the gun must be dropped by 0-15 degrees to counter the effect of gravity. In the case of vertical welding, power must be reduced by 10-15 percent compared to flat position welding for best results.
Conclusion
Welding can be a dangerous job if done in the wrong way. So if you are still a beginner, then always have an expert with you while doing it. If done improperly, welding can also be dangerous, so always ensure your safety while starting a welding job. It takes practice to perfect any technique. The same is with MIG wire welding. So practice as much as possible and take care of the abovementioned tips.
