There are a plethora of metal in the world. Can you weld all metal using mig process? Mig welding is a popular and wide spread method that is being used every day all over the world. But you cannot mig weld all the metal. I have described the metals you can mig weld bellow.
Lets read it-
Mig Weld Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is a widely used material in industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing due to its excellent balance of strength, cost-effectiveness, and workability. MIG welding is an ideal choice for joining carbon steel mostly mild steel. Mild steel is low carbon steel that contains 0.05-0.25% carbon mixed with the steel alloy.
To mig weld mild steel you can use two mode of welding spray metal arc transfer mode and short arc metal transfer mode. If you are using spray arc transfer mode, you should use 95% argon and 5% co2 for better penetration and spatter free weld.
For welding with metal arc transfer mode, use 75% argon and 25% Co2 mixer. You don’t need to prepare the metal edge while mig welding thinner metal that is about 0.035″-1/8″ thick. And for mig welding more than 1/8″ thick metal prepare the edge by applying some heat.
Mig Welding Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is mostly used corrosion & rust resistant, longer lasting metal. You need to use specialized wire to mig weld the metal. 304 stainless steel is ideal for mig welding. You can mig weld stainless steel on short arc metal transfer mode and spray arc metal transfer mode.
You need to change the welder setting as it is different than welding mild steel. Set the welder at DC reverse polarity (when electrode is connected to positive and base metal is at negative point). You may use 75/25 (argon/Co2) to weld stainless steel. You may mix oxygen (2-3%) with the argon in case of welding thick stainless steel.
Also 100% argon can be used which is recommended.
Mig Weld Aluminum
Aluminum is common and mostly used metal in the world. Mig welding aluminum can be a challenging task for a welder but it is easy and safe to weld the metal if you have basic in mig welding. You may use spray metal arc mode and short arc transfer mode in mig welding aluminum.
While mig welding thinner aluminum use spray arc mode and in case of welding thicker aluminum, use metal arc transfer mode. You should use 100% argon for thinner metal and argon/helium mix (90/10%) for welding thicker.
Use of argon produce less heat than argon & helium mix, as a result thinner metal can be welded perfectly without burn through the metal.
Mig Welding Chromoly
You can use mig welding technique to weld an uncommon metal, chromoly. Chromoly, short for “chromium-molybdenum,” is a type of steel alloy known for its exceptional strength, toughness, and resistance to heat and wear.
It is a versatile material that finds applications in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and bicycle manufacturing. There are few types of chromoly for example 4130, 4140 and 4340. Among them 4130 is compatible with mig welding.
You need to preheat the chromoly before start mig welding because chromoly is a stronger metal and mig welding is a hotter process. So if you don’t preheat it may damage the metal and create unclean weld. It is little bit risky to mig weld chromoly.
Tig welding technique get best results in case of welding chromoly metal.
Mig Welding Titanium
Titanium is a remarkable metal It is lustrous & silver-gray element, known for its low density, exceptional strength, and remarkable corrosion resistance. Its strength to weight is exceptionally more than other metal.
Titanium is also known for its ability to withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for use in aircraft engines, industrial machinery, and even sporting goods like golf clubs and bicycle frames. And most importantly, titanium is highly reactive to oxygen & nitrogen.
So it would dangerous if want to mig weld the titanium. Though it is possible to mig weld titanium, but tig weld is recommended for this metal. If you are stubborn and want to mig weld titanium anyhow, then you should take necessary safety equipment’s with you and weld it at safer place out of home may be in garage with proper ventilation and fire extinguish facility.
Mig welding Copper
Can I mig weld copper? Yes you can. We recommend you use mig welding technique for thicker copper. You may use mig welding or mig brazing depending on whether you will fuse the base metal or not.
If you want to fuse the base, you need to mig braze copper with silicon mig wire. For mig welding copper with silicon mig wire, use graphene mig liner to prevent the wire from tangling other wise birdnesting problem would arise. to the gun And in case of welding thinner copper metal, you should go for Tig welding process.
You may use 100 argon or argon/helium mixer for mig welding thick copper with spray transfer mode. Set the welder to DCEP polarity use U-knurled drive rolls for better weld quality.
Brass Mig Welding
Brass is a metal that is soft and have lower melting point. It can be melted applying 900-940 Fahrenheit temperature. However it is not that easy to mig weld brass as it usually results in cracks and porosity in weld. So if you are dedicated to weld brass with mig welder, make sure the electrode wire you select is Silicon bronze. Furthermore, use argon and Carbone-di-oxide mix for shielding the arc from outside impurities. It would help to reduce the porosity. Check more information on mig welding brass here-
Lastly
Mig welding is popular process and easiest welding process. It is recommended to use proper protective gears while welding. And also you need to follow the welders guide before start welding any metal. Choosing wrong metal for mig welding can be dangerous.