OM-260273 Page 31
9-16. Common GMAW (MIG) Shielding Gases
This is a general chart for common gases and where they are used. Many different combinations (mixtures) of shielding gases have been developed
over the years. The most commonly used shielding gases are listed in the following table.
Application
Gas
Spray Arc
Steel
Short
Circuiting
Steel
GMAW-P
Steel
Spray Arc
Stainless
Steel
Short
Circuiting
Stainless
Steel
GMAW-P
Stainless
Steel
Spray Arc
Aluminum
Short
Circuiting
Aluminum
GMAW-P
Aluminum
Argon
All
Positions
All
Positions
All
Positions
All
Positions
Argon + 1% O
2
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
All
Positions
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
Argon + 2% O
2
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
All
Positions
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
Argon + 5%
CO
2
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
All
Positions
Argon + 10%
CO
2
Flat &
Horizontal
Fillet
All
Positions
All
Positions
Argon + 25%
CO
2
All
Positions
Argon + 50%
CO
2
All
Positions
CO
2
All
Positions
Helium
All
Positions
1
Argon +
Helium
All
Positions
1
90% HE +
7-1/2% AR +
2-1/2% CO
2
All
Positions
65% AR + 33%
HE + 2% CO
2
All
Positions
1
Heavy Thicknesses