MIG welding protective gas

To better understand the gases used for MIG welding we make a comparison between the gases commonly used in MIG welding including: CO2; 80% argon gas / 20% CO 2 gas; Gas mixture of Argon 93% + 5% CO2 + 2% O2; Or pure argon. The gases will be used on the same set of welding machines for 1.5mm steel, the gas cylinders use the same setting for the gas regulator.

Co2 and argon co2

Comparison between the use of CO2 and the use of 80% argon / 20% CO 2 gas when welding 1.5 mm thick steel or steel

– When using 80% argon / 20% CO2 gas mixture, we have stable arc, easy to regulate each welding evenly. When using 100% CO2 gas mixture for arc is less stable than molten welds appear molten slag as shown on the left. On the other hand, the arc is also brighter than when using a protective gas mixture argon.

Co2 and argon mix

Comparison between the use of CO2 and the use of Argon / CO2 gas for 0.8mm to 1.2mm steel

– CO2 does not maintain good arc by using Argon / Co2 gas mixture. For low voltage welded wire tend to be lumps on the surface and not metal. The arc is not automatically primed until it hits the welding electrodes. The wire speed settings are not very efficient. Therefore, it is not easy to use CO2 when welding with low voltage.

– When using Argon-CO2 gas mixture in the right weld, it gives a stable, uniform arc. The arc can be maintained at low voltage when welding the steel from 0.8mm to 1.2mm.

Comparisons of co2 and argon

Comparison between using 80% argon / 20% Co2 compared to 93% argon / 5% CO2 / 2% oxygen

There is not much difference in MIG welding when using the two gases on the gas as protection. Oxygen in the gas mixture improves wetting so that the weld is quieter and smoother. The two gases are commonly used in the same way, especially when welding thin sheets in a way that 2% oxygen is equivalent to 15% CO2. Oxygen-containing mixtures are commonly used in Europe, while CO2-containing mixtures are commonly used in the United States.

MIG welding when used with pure argon

Argon gas is more commonly used in aluminum welding than in steel welding. The resulting light is usually slightly lighter and more dispersive than the CO2 / argon mixture and makes it difficult to manipulate the specimen accurately, especially when soldered with a thin sheet. Welding fluxes are usually higher than those of other gases and appear as welding flux.

(Source: co2 welding machine price in india )