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11
MIG BASIC WELDING GUIDE
11.1
MIG Basic Welding Techniques
Two different welding processes are covered in this section (GMAW and FCAW), with the intention of
providing the very basic concepts in MIG welding, where a welding torch is hand held, and the electrode
(welding wire) is fed into a weld pool, and the arc is shielded by a gas (GMAW) or flux cored wire (FCAW).
11.2
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
This process, also known as MIG welding, CO2 welding, Micro Wire Welding, short arc welding, dip transfer
welding, wire welding etc. It is an electric arc welding process which fuses together the parts to be welded
by heating them with an arc between a solid continuous, consumable electrode and the work. Shielding is
obtained from an externally supplied welding grade shielding gas. The process is normally applied semi
automatically; however the process may be operated automatically and can be machine operated. The
process can be used to weld thin and fairly thick steels and some nonferrous metals in all positions.
Figure 29
11.3
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
This is an electric arc welding process which fuses together the parts to be welded by heating them with an
arc between a continuous flux-filled welding wire and the work. Shielding is obtained through
decomposition of the flux within the tubular wire. Additional shielding may or may not be obtained from
an externally supplied gas or gas mixture. The process is normally applied semi automatically; however the
process may be applied automatically or by machine. It is commonly used to weld large diameter wires in
the flat and horizontal position and small wire diameters in all positions. The process is used to a lesser
degree for welding stainless steel and for overlay work.
Figure 30
