MIG welding wire is used in various industrial and automotive applications. Not only is it an essential tool but it is also one of the most commonly used welding materials in the world.
According to a survey conducted by the Global Welding Machine Manufacturer’s Association, more than 60% of all welds used in metal fabrication rely on MIG welding wire. The unique properties of MIG welding wire means it is capable of being used with many different types of welding processes, such as arc welding, metal inert gas welding, tungsten inert gas welding, and even robotic welding. But just what is MIG welding wire made of?
Let’s take a look.
What is MIG Welding Wire Made of?
MIG (metal inert gas) welding wire is a key component in the MIG welding process. The welding wire is made from solid metal and is supplied from a spool.It is usually made of either steel or aluminum and is available in different sizes and grades. In this article, we discuss the materials used to make welding wire, its advantages over other welding techniques and what to consider when purchasing MIG welding wire.
Materials Used to Make MIG Welding Wire
MIG welding wire is made from different types of materials. It is usually made of a combination of metals that ranges from low carbon to high carbon steel, aluminum and nickel alloys.Steel welding wire is typically composed of a combination of carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and other metals. The combination of metals used to make steel welding wire depends on the type of steel required for the job. Generally, wire with higher carbon content has a higher tensile strength, meaning it can tolerate more stress.
Aluminum welding wire has higher ductility than steel, meaning it can push, pull and bend more. Aluminum welding wire is made from a combination of aluminum, silicon, magnesium, manganese and zinc.
Nickel alloy welding wires are composed of a variety of metals including nickel, chrome, molybdenum, titanium and cobalt. These metals are combined to create welding wires with increased strength, corrosion resistance and heat resistance.
Advantages of MIG Welding Wire
MIG welding wire has several advantages over traditional welding techniques.One of its biggest advantages is its consistency. MIG welding wire is much thinner than other types of welding wire, making it easier to feed into the welding machine. This allows for more precise welding and tighter control over the heat settings. Another advantage is its speed. MIG welding is much faster than other types of welding. This is because less heat needs to be applied to the metal when using a MIG welding wire. This also reduces the risk of overheating the metal, which can compromise the integrity of the weld. The third advantage of MIG welding wire is its cost-effectiveness. MIG welding requires less energy to complete and is also more efficient than other welding methods. This means that welding jobs can be completed faster, which can lead to significant cost savings.