Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding are gas metal arc

welding (GMAW) processes that use heat created from a DC electric arc between
a consumable metal electrode and a workpiece which melt together to create a
weld pool that fuses to form a join.

MIG and MAG welding are known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes in the
USA.

MIG/MAG is similar to MMA in that heat for welding is produced by forming an arc
between a consumable metal electrode and the workpiece; the electrode melts to form
the weld bead. The main difference is that the metal electrode is a small diameter wire
fed through the contact tip from a wire feeding spool gun, while a shielding gas is fed
through the welding torch. As the wire is continuously fed, the manual process is
sometimes referred to as semi-automatic welding. MIG and MAG welding both use gas
bottles to provide the shielding gas and compatible filler materials. For example, to weld
aluminium, an aluminium wire should be used, whereas steel MIG welding would
require an appropriate steel filler wire.

What is the Difference Between MIG and MAG?

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is a welding process in which an electric arc forms
between a consumable wire electrode and the work piece. This process uses inert
gases or gas mixtures as the shielding gas. Argon and helium are typically used for the
MIG welding of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium.

MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding is an arc welding process where an electric arc is
created between a consumable wire electrode and the material to be joined. MAG
welding uses active shielding gases, primarily for the welding of steels. These shielding
gases are mixtures of carbon dioxide, argon and oxygen.

Examples of these active gases include CO2 , Ar + 2 to 5% O2 , Ar + 5 to 25% CO2 and

Ar + 10% CO2 + 5% O2.

The only difference between MIG and MAG is the type of shielding gas used.

The make-up of the shielding gas is important as it has a significant effect on the
stability of the arc, the metal transfer and the degree of spatter. The shielding gas also
impacts the behaviour of the weld pool, with particular regard to the penetration and
mechanical properties of the welded joint.