OM-944 Page 37
7-16. Common MIG Shielding Gases
This is a general chart for common gases and where they are used. Many different combinations (mixtures) of
shielding gases have been developed over the years. The most commonly used shielding gases are listed in the
following table.
Application
Gas
Spray Arc Steel
Short Circuiting Steel
Short Circuiting
Stainless Steel
Short Circuiting
Aluminum
Argon
All Positions
Argon + 25% CO
2
Flat & Horizontal
1
Fillet
All Positions
All Positions
2
CO
2
Flat & Horizontal
1
Fillet
All Positions
Tri-Mix
3
All Positions
1
Globular Transfer
2
Single Pass Welding Only
3
90% HE + 7-1/2% AR + 2-1/2% CO
2