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Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as wire welding, is one of the most common types of welding. In the GMAW process, an electric arc is formed between the metal and a wire electrode, applying heat to the metal pieces. This action melts and fuses the parts together to form a permanent bond.
As we covered in our history of welding blog, the GMAW process emerged in the late 1940s, when a continuously fed electrode wire replaced the tungsten electrode in the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. It quickly became popular because it was more cost-effective than GTAW. Today, GMAW is used in industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to car racing and vehicle production.
Another term for GMAW is metal inert gas (MIG) welding. In the MIG and GMAW processes, a continuous solid wire electrode travels through the welding gun along with a shielding gas, which protects against contaminants in the air. This welding process can be used on both thick and thin sheets of metal, as well as aluminum and other nonferrous materials.
When it comes to MIG welding, there are a few different techniques that can be used to transfer weld metal from the arc to the base metal. These transfer modes are:
The coldest form of MIG welding is short circuit, which uses low voltage. The welding wire touches the metal, electricity goes through the gun and a short circuit is created. The effect is a wet metal puddle that quickly solidifies and fuses the materials together.
In a spray transfer mode, wire gets melted into fine droplets that get sprayed or misted into the weld joint. This is a constant voltage process that uses a high heat input and sends a constant stream of weld metal from the arc to the base material.
The globular transfer method is similar to the short circuit method. An electrode wire arcs and touches the base material. However, there is a higher heat input and the wire is heated for a longer period. This creates a larger weld puddle, which collects at the tip of the gun and drips into the joint.
The pulsed spray transfer is similar to the spray arc method but modified to remove potential disadvantages. The welder will pulse the voltage many times per second, allowing a droplet to form at the end of the wire that gets pushed across the arc into the puddle. It is the most functional and flexible transfer time, but can be the most expensive as it requires a high-end MIG welding machine.
MIG welding has many applications in some of the world’s biggest industries, and can be used for:
The versatility of MIG welding makes it a popular choice, from small repair shops and businesses to large industrial facilities.
A number of advantages exist for those using MIG welding, making it one of the most widely used welding processes:
While there are many pros to MIG welding, it’s also important to know what some of the cons might be:
Now that you know some of the uses and types of MIG welding techniques, here are more details about the process.
The MIG process happens when an arc is created between a wire electrode and the work piece, which melts them both to form a pool. The electrode is continuously fed, and a shielding gas is used. The process is considered semi-automatic, since wire feed and arc length are controlled by power but travel speed and positioning are controlled manually.
To be successful, welders must master how to properly guide and clean the gun and optimize the voltage, flow rate and wire-feed rate. The travel speed a welder employs will influence the quality and shape of the weld. MIG welders need to judge how the weld puddle size relates to the joint thickness in order to determine the correct travel speed.
Shielding gases are required for MIG welding as they are used to protect the weld pool from contaminants in the air. The most common types of gases used during the process are argon and helium, which are both inert gases. This means they will not undergo chemical reactions.
During the MIG welding process, base metal melts and fuses with filler metal at around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Constant voltage (CV) power sources are used for the majority of MIG welding and other semi-automatic processes. The power source provides constant voltage to the arc length during the process. There is a self-correcting arc length feature that helps produce stable welding conditions.
MIG welding processes operate with reverse polarity, where the wire electrode is positive. This is because more heat is generated, which helps reduce the chance of defects from a lack of fusion.
Some of the basic tools used for MIG welding include:
Safety equipment like auto-darkening helmets, gloves and protective clothing are also used during MIG welding.
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In the Welding Technology program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI), students learn GMAW processes, equipment and applications in courses like Gas Metal Arc Welding I and II and Welding Applications. Students learn skills like:
UTI students are also taught welding safety, blueprint basics and mathematics used in fabrication. Brian Masumoto, a welding instructor at UTI Rancho Cucamonga, says the main advantage of UTI’s program is the breadth of instructor experience.
“Our instructors have 70+ years of experience in welding and fabrication,” Masumoto says. “As instructors, we find out what type of welding career the students want to get into and apply what’s in the curriculum to that specific job.” 6
Students aren’t only taught about GMAW at UTI. They’ll learn about the three other major arc welding processes when they choose to attend one of these campuses nationwide:
Whatever location you choose to attend, you’ll receive the hands-on training and experience you need for an entry-level career in the industry.1 Click the links above to find out more about each individual campus.
Find out more about the Welding program offered at UTI by requesting more information online or by calling us at 1-800-834-7308.
Learn how SMAW works, what it's used for, the benefits of SMAW welding and more.
Learn how gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, works and how it’s used.
Wondering what flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) is? Learn about the process, pros and cons, and more in this guide from Universal Technical Institute.
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
6) UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on personal credentials and economic factors. Work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer and their compensation programs affect wages. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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