Aceros

MIG/MAG Welding Guide

For Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

LINCOLN

®

ELECTRIC

This booklet contains basic guidelines on the Gas Metal Arc Process. The basic information is from “Recommended Practices for Gas Metal Arc Welding”, AWS C5.6-89. It has been edited and is reprinted through the courtesy of the American Welding Society. Mild Steel procedures were developed by The LincolnElectric Company. Aluminum procedures are from THE ALUMINUM ASSOCIATION Stainless Steel procedures are primarily from JOINING OF STAINLESS STEEL published by American Society for Metals.

Welding Aluminum: Theory and Practice
The Aluminum Association
Incorporated

This book has been prepared by H.L. Saunders, Consultant, Alcan (Retired), with information and assistance from the AluminumAssociation and from member companies represented on the Technical Advisory Panel on Welding and Joining. Mr. Saunders (BASc, Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia) has 36 years of experience in the aluminum welding industry. He has been active in AWS, CSA, WIC and undertaken special studies for the National Research Council and the Welding Research Council. He was a former member andChairman of the Aluminum Association’s Technical Committee on Welding and Joining. Technical Advisory Panel on Welding and Joining: B. Alshuller, Alcan (Chairman) P. Pollak, Aluminum Association (Secretary) P.B. Dickerson, Consultant, Alcoa (Retired) F. Armao, Alcoa Eric R. Pickering, Reynolds Metals

Use of the Information
Any data and suggestions contained in this publication were compiledand/or developed by the Aluminum Association, Inc. In view of the variety of conditions and methods of use to which such data and suggestions may be applied, the Aluminum Association and its member companies assume no responsibility or liability for the use of information contained herein. Neither the Aluminum Association nor any of its member companies give any warranties, express or implied, inrespect to this information.

Third Edition • November 1997
Copyright © 1991 by The Aluminum Association, Inc.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 89-80539

GAS METAL ARC WELDING GUIDE

CONTENTS
I. II. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FUNDAMENTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principles of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4

III.

TRADITIONAL MODES OF METAL TRANSFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axial Spray Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Globular Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Short Circuiting Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IV.

HIGH LEVEL MODES OF METAL TRANSFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pulsed Spray Transfer (GMAW-P) . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Surface Tension Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

V.

EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....