MIG Welding Essentials: Gas vs Gasless
MIG Welding Essentials: Gas vs. gasless
When setting up a MIG welding machine, it’s important to consider gas versus gasless options and how to select the right type of inert gas supply for a MIG welding project.
The MIG welding process uses a gas to shield the filler metal and weld pool from reacting to any elements present in the surrounding environment.
However, MIG welding can also be performed as a gasless process which uses flux core wire without the need of shielding gases. The Flux Cored Wire MIG process, formally known as Flux Cored Arc Welding – Self Shielded (FCAW-SS) uses a specially designed cored wire protecting the weld pool from oxidation during the arc welding process.
The differences between gas and gasless for MIG welding
The main differences between MIG welding with a gas or gasless setup is gas provides a more stable, better-quality weld that produces less fumes and spatter. For a nice, clean weld on finer materials, gas MIG welding is preferable. While weld spatters are generally greater with a gasless process, some modern gasless wire can produce as nice as weld bead as gas MIG welding.
However, if you need to weld something in a hard-to-reach location, that is outdoors, a gasless setup is more efficient cost-wise, lighter, and portable for use. If cosmetics are not an issue, gasless MIG welding is more convenient.
Choosing the right MIG welding gas
When shopping for gas, you will want to look for products that are marketed specifically as MIG welding gas. If you are going to use gas for MIG welding, you will want to choose the correct gas for the metal you are working with.
Depending on the type of metal you are welding, the two most common gases used for MIG welding are pure argon (Ar) and an argon and carbon dioxide (Ar/CO2) gas blend. The primary difference between the two is that argon is an inert gas, while carbon dioxide is semi-inert.
For mild steel, argon and carbon dioxide (Ar/CO2) gas is recommended for a deeper penetrating weld with less spatter.
While for MIG welding aluminium, you will want to use pure argon (Ar) gas for a shallower, but thicker weld, with less spatter.
To learn more about MIG welding, check out MIG Welding Tips
WIA offers a wide variety of MIG welding machines, products, and supplies for streamlining MIG welding processes on a variety of applications across different industries.
MIG welding machines in the WIA range include:
MIG welding machines in the Miller range include:
For a MIG welding machine consultation, or to arrange a live product demonstration, speak with one of our Product Specialists in your area today.
National
Fuhai Liu – 0419 864 812
Mathew Hefferan – 0417 096 188
North Queensland
Chris Fell – 0439 278 960
New South Wales
Rodney Higgins – 0418 877 953
South Queensland
Mathew Hefferan – 0417 096 188
Victoria
Alex Longman - 0412 417 246
Western Australia
John Gwiazda – 0477 070 057