As the title suggests, all of the techniques above are used for welding. The evident advantage of these techniques is their adaptability to various industries. Materials such as metals and thermoplastics can be welded in various industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing. Of various welding techniques available today, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding popularity cannot be argued. Nevertheless, even though the two techniques are commonly seen as almost identical in nature, their uses differ, as do their processes and their results. The main purpose of this article is to examine the differences between these two aspects by analyzing the MIG and MAG welding techniques more precisely in order to help readers understand the topic more thoroughly.
Understanding MIG welding
It is worth noting that Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, also known as GMAW, or Gas Metal Arc Welding, is a specific subset of the GMAW welding process. This process involves the use of inert gases, such as argon and helium gases, during welding. Why? The purpose is to restrict airflow into the weld area which prevents contamination from chemicals, hence the weld’s strength remains intact. An inert gas such as argon or helium is used to prevent any oxidation or other chemical reactions within the weld pool, ensuring that the resulting weld is clear and free of impurities. If I were to take a wild guess Migrating Anodic active welders is likely to be utilized to weld Aluminum, Copper and Stainless steel which are generally Non Ferrous metals.
Key Features of MIG welding include:
Shielding Gas: Uses inert gases such as argon, helium or a combination of both.
Applications: Suitable for welding non-ferrous materials.
Advantages: Produces very clean and high quality welds while minimizing spatter and oxidation of the weld.
Common Uses: A common application can be found in the joining of body parts of cars , airplanes, and even artistic metal constructions.
Getting to know more about MAG Welding
Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding is one more sort of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) using active or mixture of active gases (e.g., CO2, and mix of argon with CO2) as the shielding gases. For instance, wrapping the molten weld pool with a weld gas can have interacting metals which has an effect on metals and weld penetration properties. MAG welding is mainly used for welded ferrous metals like carbon steel and low-alloy steels.
Principal Benefits of MAG Welding:
Shielding Gas: Active gases are used including CO2, and CO2/argon mix.
Applications: Designed mainly for welding of ferrous metals.
Advantages: Produces a better penetrated weld and much stronger weld.
Common Uses: Medium structural steelwork, pipelines, construction work, and any welding of heavy machines inside the factory.
MIG and MAG Welding Process Comparison
Although both processes belong to GMAW and have their common features, they have also some basic parameters of differences that make these processes distinct for individual application focus.
Supply of Shielding Gases: The first, and the most obvious difference, regards the composition of the shielding gases. In MIG welding inert gases are used. These are non-reactive and prevent further contamination of the welds. In the contrary, active gases employed in MAG welding, will in some way react with the weld pool, thus altering its characteristics.
Material: As regards the bias in materials, MIG production is rather helpful in producing pure quality and clean welds on non-ferrous metals. In contrast, ferrous metals are compatible with MAG welding which moreover has strong and deeper weld penetration on ferrous metals.
Shear Strength: Welded joints made using MIG welding are neater, having less molten spatter, and thus appealing to the eye. On the other hand, welded joints made using MAG may include more spattered molten materials and appear to be less visually appealing due to high interaction with the active gas.
Depth of Penetration: While MIG welding is more concerned with appearance and clean welding of base metals, MAG welding focuses on heavy-duty work requiring thorough penetration.
Cost and Accessibility: MIG welding gases are largely argon and helium, which are costlier compared to MAG Carbon Dioxide welding. This distinction in cost can be a factor on the factors of the overall cost effectiveness and the accessibility of both methods.
Conclusion
In the field of welding, having basic knowledge of these differences for various methods is very important as they relate to the results of any project. Since inert gas MIG welding is used, this method is best suited for non-ferrous metals and applications which require clean high quality welds. On the other hand, MAG welding, which uses active gases, has more penetration hence more suited for ferrous metals and heavy duty applications. By understanding the differences of MIG and MAG welding by Taizhou Levin Welding Equipment Co,.Ltd., the professionals should be able to make the right choices, ensuring the most suitable and timely welding processes are adapted to their needs.
