GMAW Fundamentals

Gas Metal Arc Welding

Metal Inert Gas

By: Wanda Sue Benton

ESAB University & Florence-Darlington Technical College
 Introduction
 GMAW is defined as arc welding using a
continuously fed consumable electrode and
a shielding gas.
 GMAW is also known as MIG (Metal Inert
Gas).
 Produces high-quality welds
 Yields high productivity
 Advantages
 Large gaps filled or bridged easily
 Welding can be done in all positions
 No slag removal required
 High welding speeds
 High weld quality
 Less distortion of work piece
 Types of Metal Transfer
The basic GMAW process includes three
distinctive process techniques:

1. Short Circuit (Short Arc)

2. Globular Transfer
3. Spray Arc Transfer
 Short Circuit (Short Arc)
 Operates at low voltages and welding
current
 Small fast-freezing weld puddle obtained
 Useful in joining thin materials in any
position, as well as thick materials in
vertical and overhead positions
 Metal transfer occurs when an electrical
short circuit is established
 Globular Transfer
 Welding current and wire speed are
increased above maximum for short arc
 Droplets of metal have a greater diameter
than the wire being used
 Spatter present
 Welding is most effectively done in the flat
position when using globular transfer
 Spray Arc Transfer
 Occurs when the current and voltage
settings are increased higher than that used
for Globular Transfer
 Used on thick sections of base material, best
suited for flat position due to large weld
puddle
 Spatter is minimal to none
 Manual GMAW Equipment
 Threemajor elements are :
1.) Welding torch and accessories
2.) Welding control & Wire feed motor
3.) Power Source

 GMAW equipment can be used either

manually or automatically
 WIRE CONTROL
&
WIRE FEED MOTOR

POWER SOURCE
Welding Torch & Accessories
 The welding torch guides the wire and
shielding gas to the weld zone.
 Brings welding power to the wire also
 Major components/parts of the torch are the
contact tip, shielding gas nozzle, gas
diffuser, and the wire conduit
 GAS DIFFUSER

NOZZLE

TRIGGER
CONTACT TIP

INSTALLED

COMPONENTS
 Welding Control & Wire
Feed Motor
 Welding control & Wire feed motor are
combined into one unit
 Main function is to pull the wire from the
spool and feed it to the arc
 Controls wire feed speed and regulates the
starting and stopping of wire feed
 Wire feed speed controls Amperage
WIRE FEEDER
 Power Source
 Almost all GMAW is done with reverse
polarity also known as DCEP
 Positive (+) lead is connected to the torch
 Negative (-) lead is connected to the work piece
 Provides a relatively consistent voltage to the
arc
 Arc Voltage is the voltage between the end of
the wire and the work piece
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
TERMINAL TERMINAL
 Shielding Gases

 Purpose of shielding gas is the protect the

weld area from the contaminants in the
atmosphere
 Gas can be Inert, Reactive, or Mixtures of
both
 Gas flow rate is between 25-35 CFH
 Argon, Helium, and Carbon Dioxide are the
main three gases used in GMAW
FLOW METER CFH PRESSURE
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB

CYLCINDER
PRESSURE
GAUGE