Are MIG and MAG the same thing?
In the MIG MAG (or GMAW) method, an electric arc is produced between the material to be welded and the welding wire and is protected by a special gas shield. This can be inert (such as argon) or active (such as CO2 or mixtures of Ar and CO2 ). The wire is continuously fed through the feeding unit and welding chuck up to the welding pool.
MIG MAG welding is a versatile method for obtaining alloy at very high speeds and in all positions. It is widely used to weld thin and medium steel parts and to weld aluminum alloys, especially when high manual welding productivity is required. Introduced core wires are increasingly used for welding large steel structures.
In the MIG MAG welding method, an electric arc glows between a metal electrode, which takes the form of a continuous wire, and the material to be welded. The arc and the liquid metal pool are protected by a stream of inert or active gas. This method is suitable for welding most materials: hence solid and cored electrode wires suitable for different grades of metals are offered.
The MAG method – (Metal Active Gas) is designed for welding unalloyed low carbon or low alloy steel in active gas shielding: CO2 or in mixtures of active gases CO2 or O2 with inert gases Ar or He. Welding of high-alloyed steel in shielded active gas mixtures of CO2 or O2 with inert gas Ar.
The MIG method – (Metal Inert Gas) is designed for welding non-ferrous metals primarily aluminum alloys based on magnesium AlMg or silicon AlSi, and for welding copper alloys and nickel alloys in a shield of inert gas Ar or gas mixtures based on Ar + He.
During MIG/MAG welding, the current source generates an electric pulse that creates an arc between the welding wire fed from the welding gun and the workpiece being welded. The arc melts the material to be welded and the wire. This is how the weld is formed. At all times, the wire feeder feeds the welding wire through the welding chuck. Shielding gas is also supplied from the welding chuck.
MIG and MAG methods differ in one thing – MIG is welding with a consumable electrode in a shield of inert gas, which is not involved in the welding process. MAG, on the other hand, is welding with a consumable electrode in a shield of active gas, which takes part in the welding process.
Usually the shielding gas contains active carbon dioxide or oxygen, which is why MAG welding is used much more often than MIG. It is even common to incorrectly use the term MIG to refer to active gas shielded welding technique.
WHAT CAN BE MIG/MAG WELDED ?
Today, MIG/MAG welding is used almost everywhere. It is most often found in heavy and medium industry, such as shipbuilding, steel construction, pipelines and pressure vessels. It is also often used for repair and maintenance work.
MIG/MAG welding is also commonly used for joining sheet metal, especially in the automotive industry, body shops and light industry. MIG/MAG welders are popular with hobbyists and home users.
MIG AND MAG WELDING EQUIPMENT
MIG/MAG welding kits typically consist of a power source, wire feeder, ground cable, welding chuck, optional cooling system and shielding gas cylinder or gas mains connector.
The wire feeder is designed to feed the necessary welding wire from the spool to the welding gun.
It also enables the power source to be switched on and off and, if an electronic power source is used, allows the voltage generated by the welder to be regulated. For this purpose, the current source and the wire feeder are connected by a control cable. The wire feeder also controls the flow of shielding gas. The shielding gas required for welding is supplied from a cylinder or gas mains.
MIG welding equipment is often modular, so that the cooling system, current source and wire feeder can be freely selected to suit your needs. The wire feeder can be a device independent of the power source, making it unnecessary to move the entire welder between workstations.
The devices can also be equipped with an interchangeable control panel and additional functions, activated separately.
The welding chuck heats up during welding, so it must be cooled with gas or liquid. For gas-cooled chucks, the shielding gas flowing through the welding line cools the chuck at the same time. For liquid-cooled chucks, a separate device is required that is responsible for circulating the cooling liquid through the welding line to the chuck and back.
The design of the MIG/MAG welding machine is limited by the welding wire coil inside. The coil is often a heavy component that takes up a lot of space. Nevertheless, state-of-the-art MIG/MAG welding equipment is sleek and compact.
Why choose our stainless steel welding services ?
If you are looking for top quality welding services, you have come to the right place. Our company offers comprehensive welding services for business and individual clients, using state-of-the-art technology and tools.
Why should you use our welding services? Here are a few reasons:
Experience and knowledge – Our specialists are skilled welders with years of experience. They have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform even the most complex welding projects.
Quality – We focus on the quality of our services, so we use only the best materials and tools. This allows us to guarantee durable and reliable welding joints.
Speed – We care about our customers’ time, so we strive to complete orders in the shortest possible time. We are flexible and ready to work on an urgent basis.
Individual approach – We always try to adapt our services to the customer’s needs and requirements. Our welding offer is very wide and diverse, which allows us to be flexible in our approach to each order.
Competitive price – We offer attractive prices for our services, which depend on the type and scope of welding work.
What about the stainless steel welding process ?
Welding stainless steel requires specialized knowledge and experience. It is a material that is characterized by high resistance to corrosion and mechanical damage, which makes it often used in the production of various types of components, such as in the food, chemical and medical industries.
In the case of stainless steel welding, it is important that the process is done properly and precisely, as improperly performed welds can lead to a loss of corrosion resistance and weakening of the material’s structure. Therefore, it is advisable to outsource stainless steel welding to professionals who have the right tools and knowledge and experience in this field.
At our company we offer stainless steel welding at the highest level. Our specialists have the necessary qualifications and experience in this field, and use modern technologies that allow precise and durable welding joints. We offer different types of stainless steel welding, such as TIG, MIG/MAG or coated electrode, which allows us to flexibly adapt to customers’ needs and requirements.
If you need professional and precise stainless steel welding, contact us. We are ready to take on the challenge and complete any job with the highest quality and precision.
If you want to use our welding services, contact us today. Our specialists will answer all your questions and prepare a customized offer tailored to your needs.
ALUMINUM WELDING
The aluminum welding process can be performed in several ways, depending on the requirements and needs of the project. Two welding processes are most commonly used: TIG welding (GTAW) and MIG welding (GMAW).
TIG welding (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) is a process in which an electrode made of tungsten is supported in a special welding head, and then using a special shielding gas (usually argon) generates an electric arc between the electrode and the material to be welded. In this process, the welding filler is supplied separately to the welded joint, and this makes it possible to produce precise, high-quality welds.
MIG welding (Metal Inert Gas Welding) is a process in which the welding electrode, which is also the source of the weld metal, is introduced into the weld material using a special welding gun. In this process, shielding gases such as argon are used to protect the welded joint from oxidation and contact with air.
Both welding processes have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of process depends on a number of factors, such as the thickness and type of material, joint design, strength and aesthetic requirements. In any case, a good welder must have the technical skills and experience in welding aluminum to ensure durable and reliable welding joints.
In the case of aluminum welding, it is important that the process is carried out with due care and precision, since aluminum is a material that is very sensitive to temperature changes and prone to oxidation. Therefore, for welding aluminum, it is recommended to use TIG or MIG welding processes, which allow for precise and accurate welds.
