Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel Welding
Carbon steel is the most common material welded using the MIG process due to its suitability for MIG welding and its versatility across a wide range of applications.
The gases we recommend for MIG welding carbon steel are our Sureshield range of gas mixes. The Sureshield range is manufactured using a unique blend of Argon, Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen in varying quantities. The Carbon Dioxide is added to improve the characteristics of the weld bead, the more added to the mix, the deeper the penetration. The Argon is included to increase heat transfer allowing the user to weld faster and more efficiently. Finally, a very small quantity of Oxygen is included to enhance arc stability and decrease surface tension of the molten metal. Where a flux cored wire is used, Sureshield should be substituted for Argon 80/20 due to the incompatibility with the oxygen content of the Sureshield range.
Welding Gas Selector
Gas | Weld Speed | Spatter Control | Porosity Control | Fusion | Penetration | Ease of Use | Cost |
Sureshield 5 | ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ ■ | £ |
Sureshield 15 | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ | ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | £ |
Sureshield 20 | ■ | ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ | £ |
Argon 80/20 | ■ ■ | ■ ■ | ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ | £ £ |
Characteristics for MIG welding carbon steel
■ ■ ■ = Best | ■ = Worst
Struggling to select a gas? If in doubt, please call 0191 271 4888 for specialist advice!