What is the Best Gas to Use for MIG Welding?

For professional welders, Mig welding machines are not too strange, but there are still quite a few people who do not know about the best gas for MIG welding and what gas Mig welding machines use.

The most commonly used gas for MIG welding is a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide (CO2). This gas combination provides good weld quality and a stable arc. However, depending on the type of metal being welded, other gas mixtures such as helium or oxygen may also be used. It’s important to consult with the welding equipment and gas supplier to determine the best gas mixture for your specific welding needs.

Let’s find out together below!

Choosing the Right Shielding Gas

Although there are many available shielding gases in welding machines, the selection process varies from one machine to another. There are different kinds of gases for welding, but what we want to know is which one will help us succeed in the best way.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The right shielding gas is vital for the welding machine to function properly. And it also keeps the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration inside the welding head at a minimum level. But according to recent findings, CO2 concentration in welding gas is increasing.

Cooling the welding machine is almost impossible by using air. The best way to cool the welding machine is to use a gas called carbon dioxide.

This gas is relatively inexpensive and readily available at home, at the local hardware store or even in your car’s engine oil tank.

It is important that the welding machine can run without using any other gases like nitrogen or oxygen. The best solution for this problem would be to use a carbon dioxide shielding gas because without it, internal parts of the welding machine will start overheating as soon as there is any kind of heat generated inside them and it will end up melting and partially or fully shutting down operations.

However, not just welding machines but all industrial machines and machinery has the requirement of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a shielding gas in order to conduct their work.

Argon

In the welding machine industry, there is a debate on whether or not Argon can be used as a shielding gas. The use of Argon destabilizes the metal, which means that it is not able to maintain oxidation-reduction reactions at high speed. If this happens too often, corrosion may occur and damage may become worse.

The gas Argon has been used as a shielding gas in welding machines in the textiles industry for decades. However, it is also a heat conductor and produces certain properties that can be considered dangerous to welders if they are not properly used.

Oxygen

Research has revealed that the welding process is primarily dependent on oxygen concentration in the atmosphere. Welding is a chemical reaction and oxygen addition at a critical stage of this reaction changes the dimensions of particles. 

When the welding process is done in a controlled environment, it does not create any hazardous situation for humans or the environment as such dangerous gases like Argon and Xenon are generated during the welding process which is normally burned to fire, thus no risk for humans or the environment exists.

The function of the Shielding Gas

The shielding gas prevents the outside air from coming into contact with the arc and with the metal at high temperatures.

Not only that, but the shielding gas also helps to stabilize the arc, reduce the level of spatter in the cargo and also helps to achieve the required depth of flow during the welding process.

What Gas Does the MIG Welder Use?

The mig welding machine is a type of industrial welding machine that is used a lot. When using a Mig welder, you will certainly be interested in what gas does the Mig welder use? Currently, Mig welding machines use two groups of shielding gases: inert gas (Ar, He) and active gas.

1. Inert Gas (Ar, He)

An inert gas, also known as mixed gas: Argon gas has 3 types with different purity: 99.99% (used to weld metals with high activity such as Ti, Nb, Zr); 99.98% (for welding non-ferrous metals such as Al, Mg, and their alloys) and 99.95% (for welding high-alloy steels).

The impurities in Ar are oxygen, N, and water vapor. Ar is normally stored in bottles with a capacity of 40 litres under a pressure of 150 atm.

In addition to Argon, Helium is also used as a shielding gas, Helium is 10 times lighter than Argon, so the consumption of Helium is higher than Ar1.5 -3 times.He has purity of 99.99%, 99.98% and 99, 8% . He is also contained in bottles with a capacity of 40 liters under a pressure of 150 att.

Note: People often use mixed gas to weld aluminum and stainless steel.

2. Activated Gas

Activated gas or co2 gas: The main active gas in welding is Co2 (for steel welding) and N2 for copper welding. There are 2 types of Co2: 99.5% and 99.0%. The impurities in Co2 are mainly O2 and water vapour. Liquid Co2 is stored in bottles with a capacity of 40 litres under the pressure of 50-60 at.

Note: Only used when co2 is used to weld iron and steel.

How to Assemble the Pressure Gauge into the Air Tank for the Safest?

Co2 gas is very cold, so factories will force gas into the tank with great pressure. If you accidentally open the air valve, but when there is a pressure gauge, it is very dangerous, unfortunately, the gas is shot into your body, and you will get very dangerous cold burns. Therefore, we will share with you how to assemble the watch into the air tank in the safest way.

Step 1: Install the Pressure Relief Valve on the Gas Bottle

First, you lock the valve on the gas tank tightly, and do not let it leak, then you use the air wrench to screw into the meter and then you screw on the gasket on the gas tank, take the wrench to tighten it, lock the valve on the meter.

Step 2: Take the Watch Use a Wrench to Screw on the Gas Tank

Turn the pressure regulator knob on the pressure relief valve counterclockwise until it feels loose. Adjust the gas pressure.

Step 3: Open the Air Valve

Next, you take the wire from the watch to the machine, then open the air valve on the air tank.

Above we have shared with you what gas the Mig welding machine uses and how to assemble the pressure gauge on the gas tank in the safest way.

FAQs

What kind of gas do I need for my MIG welder?

MIG/MAG welding uses Argon (Ar) as the basic gas. The addition of Helium (He) can increase the penetration and fluidity of the weld pool. It is possible to use argon or argon/helium mixtures for welding all grades.

Can you MIG weld 100% Argon?

Using a MIG welder and 100% Argon shielding gas, it is possible to adhere steel together. The result is a weak, brittle, shoddy-looking weld. A steel MIG welding job that needs a strong, quality weld is not done with 100% Argon.

What is the best gas for MIG welding mild steel?

In MIG welding, two types of gas combinations are recommended; 100% CO2 and a mix of 25-75% Carbon and Argon. The most common shielding gas for home and hobby MIG welders is a mixture of 25% carbon and 75% Argon.