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6 SHIELDING GAS RECOMMENDATION
0463 730 001
- 24 -
© ESAB AB 2021
6
SHIELDING GAS RECOMMENDATION
Welding
Shielding Gas Material
Recommended Flow Rate (l/min)
MAG
Mix Ar/CO
2
Carbon steel
Wire Ø × 10
MAG
Mix Ar/CO
2
Stainless steel
Wire Ø × 10
MIG
100% Ar
Aluminum
Wire Ø × 12
FCAW
Mix Ar/CO
2
Carbon steel
Wire Ø × 12
FCAW
100% CO
2
Carbon steel
Wire Ø × 12
FCAW
Mix Ar/CO
2
Stainless steel
Wire Ø × 12
FCAW
100% CO
2
Stainless steel
Wire Ø × 12
TIG DC
100% Ar
Carbon steel
Cup size or nozzle number × 1.2
TIG DC
100% Ar
Stainless steel
Cup size or nozzle number × 1.2
TIG DC
100% Ar
Stainless steel
Cup size or nozzle number × 1.2
TIG AC
100% Ar
Aluminum
Cup size or nozzle number × 1.2
The general rule to be followed for shielding gas flow rate is 10 to 12 times of the wire size. It
may increase for different welding applications where higher stick out and parameters are
used. When using helium mixtures, the flow rate must be 1.5 to 3 times more than with
argon.