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MIG welding wire is a consumable that is used in the process of metal inert gas (MIG) welding otherwise known as GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding).
There are two forms of 'MIG' welding - MIG & MAG. Both are very similar, but the main difference is the shielding gas being used. For carbon steel welding, the process will be MAG welding, as this requires an active gas mix, aluminium welding would be classed as MIG, as there's no active gas within the shielding gas mix, active gasses include Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, the term 'active gas' means they are not an inert gas.
There are various types of MAG & MIG welding wires available to buy here today, each designed for specific applications and materials. The choice of MIG wire type will depend on factors like the base metal shielding gas mix being used, the desired welding characteristics and, in some instances, the welding equipment being used.
ER70S-6 is the most common and versatile type of MIG welding wire for welding mild and low-alloy steels. Mild steel MIG wire is typically made of low-carbon steel and other metals.
The ER308, ER309 and ER316 stainless steel MIG wire options are used for welding stainless steel. The specific type of stainless steel wire corresponds to the grade of stainless steel being welded. These wires help maintain the corrosion resistance of stainless steel after welding.
ER4043 and ER5356 are the most-commonly used aluminium MIG wires for general-purpose aluminium welding. They also come in different grades and the right choice will depend on the specific alloy being welded. There are copper-coated MIG wires designed to reduce the buildup of copper on the contact tip of welding torches.
Flux core MIG welding wires contain a flux at the centre of the wire that provides a shielding gas when it reacts with the arc’s heat. They are suitable for outdoor and windy conditions because they are less affected by environmental factors. However, you typically get self-shielded and shielded types of flux core wires.
Some flux core wires still require a shielding gas. The flux within the wire is not only used for shielding gas purposes, this flux also provides critical properties and characteristics to the weld. Flux core develops a slag on top of the finished weld, similar to MMA (manual metal arc) also known as Stick welding. This flux needs to be removed after welding. Typically, Flux core welding will provide a higher deposition rate than the solid wire alternitives, but it comes with its own limitations.
Additionally, there are hardfacing and specialist MIG wires designed for specific applications and materials. Hardfacing wires such as HF600 SG6-60 1.20mm are used to add a metal layer to surfaces that experience wear and abrasion, protecting them. Specialist MIG wires are for unique applications outside of typical mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium welding.
If you need help choosing the right MIG welding wire for your welding, contact us and speak to one of our experts. We also stock TIG welding rods for different applications including steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
Welding wire feed speed in MIG welding is important as it controls how fast the wire is fed into the welding arc. In MIG welding, wire feed speed is what controls the amperage. Read our guide on MIG Welding wire speed here.
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Find out exactly what size MIG welding wire you need to achieve the perfect weld every time. There are many factors at play, which we explore in this guide.
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Find out how to set up your MIG welding wire by reading our easy-to-understand guide, ideal for those new to the application.
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