Metal inert gas welding
Metal Inert Gas or MIG welding is a type of welding which utilises a welding gun through which a continuous wire electrode and a shielding gas is fed. The wires used in the electrodes are typically 0.7, 1.0, 1.2 or 1.6 mm diameter, either solid or 'flux' filled.To prevent nitrogen and oxygen contaminating the weld, an inert shielding gas is fed around the arc, either argon or helium.
To improve the welds, a mixture of gases is used that reacts with the metal; a Metal Active Gas (MAG), usually a varying mixture of argon and carbon dioxide and traces of hydrogen.
MIG/MAG welding is typically used in the automobile industry as relatively thin sheet metal can be welded. It is best used in flat welds as it is difficult, but not impossible, to perform vertical and overhead welding using MIG.
Using MAG welding it is possible to weld aluminium, copper and stainless steel.