MIG welding with argon co2 mix is a very common MIG welding process that is used in many industries.
The argon helps create a fume-neutral environment, while the co2 reduces the spatter and improves the centering ability of your weld puddle.
Why use Argon mixture for Mig welding? When should you use Argon-CO2 mix? I want to talk about the benefits of using argon and CO2 combination in MIG welding.
The following article is written to help welders who are new to MIG and those who are doing their first few projects.
There are others, though, who knows how to weld but might be confused when it comes down to the argon-co2 mix.
MIG Welding With Argon CO2 Mix
Argon-CO2 MIG welding is a process in which the wire is coated with a mixture of argon (75-80%) and CO2 gas (20-25%). This gas mixture produces a high-quality weld that is strong and consistent, as well as resistant to cracking. This process is used on heavier metals, such as stainless steel and carbon steel.
This process can be used for many different metals, including aluminum, titanium, and magnesium. The most common applications are in the automotive and shipbuilding industries, although it is also used in other industries such as aerospace.
If you want to know more about blending these two gas( argon and CO2), then keep reading for a better understanding!
A Little About an Argon CO2 Mix
While Argon is a noble gas and CO2 is a non-reactive, the two together make a very reactive mixture. When you use this mixture for MIG welding, you can heat up your wire faster than with just argon or CO2 alone.
This leads to less downtime in which you are waiting for the wire to heat up before you can start welding.
MIG welding with Argon CO2 mix also allows for better cleaning of contaminants on your weld bead compared to using argon alone because it heats up so quickly.
In addition, using Argon CO2 mixes can reduce porosity in some materials that would otherwise have porosity issues when being welded without it (like steel).
Using Argon CO2 mixes is also a great way to get around the shielding gas related health risks associated with welding.
When you use argon-only mixtures, there is a higher chance of exposing yourself to CO2 and other chemicals that are released by the arc during welding.
These can lead to health issues down the line like chronic headaches or even cancer if exposure occurs over time. Using an Argon-CO2 mix can help reduce these risks significantly.
Exact Estimations to Use Argon CO2 Gas Combination
Argon CO2 gas combination for MIG welding is used to weld aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. This is because Argon, a noble gas, has a very low electrical conductivity.
The CO2 in the argon/CO2 mixture reduces the amount of hydrogen present in the weld, which decreases porosity and increases weld strength and quality. I strongly recommend using this combination.
In order to use argon CO2 gas combination for MIG welding, you need to know how much gas to use per cubic foot.
A cubic foot of argon will give you about 0.9 cubic feet of CO2 at atmospheric pressure, so if you want 1 cubic foot of Argon/CO2 mix, you’ll need 1 cubic foot of Argon plus 0.9 cubic feet of CO2.
- If you want to MIG weld steel up to 10mm, you need to make a combination of 95% argon & 5% C02 gas.
- If you want to MIG weld steel 8 to 25mm, you need to make a combination of 90% argon & 10% C02 gas.
- If you want to MIG weld steel 20mm or above, you need to make a combination of 80% argon & 20% C02 gas.
Why Use Argon Mixture for MIG Welding?
When you’re outfitting your MIG welding rig, there’s a lot to consider. How much welding gas do you need? What kind of shielding gas should you use? And why?
Here’s why it makes sense to use argon/CO2 mix in your MIG welding setup:
- Argon/CO2 mix is the most common shielding gas mixture used for MIG welding and is a good choice for most applications.
- Argon/CO2 mixtures are inert, meaning that they won’t react with the materials being welded or with the metal being used for electrodes. This means that there is less chance of contamination or other issues during the welding process.
- Argon/CO2 mixtures provide good arc stability and have excellent thermal stability, which means that they will not evaporate easily during welding and, therefore, can be used at low pressures without affecting the quality of the weld.
When Should you Use Argon-CO2 Mix in MIG Welding?
Argon-CO2 mix is a type of shielding gas used in MIG welding that allows you to weld thicker materials, such as aluminum and stainless steel. This type of gas is typically used for heavier gauge metals.
When using argon-CO2 gas, the oxygen in the CO2 helps to cool your weld puddle, making it easier to control and prevent overheating. It also helps keep your arc stable, so you can focus on producing a high-quality weld.
Argon-CO2 mix is typically used when welding thicker materials like sheet metal or rebar because it provides more heat shielding than pure argon alone.
It also allows you to weld faster than with pure CO2 because it reduces spatter and splatter while still providing good arc stability.
The downside of using an argon-CO2 mix is that you can’t see through the welding arc like you can when using pure argon – this means there’s no way to tell if there are any defects in your weld until after it has cooled down completely!
Benefits of Using Argon and CO2 Combination in MIG Welding
Argon and CO2 combination is one of the most popular shielding gasses used in MIG welding. It helps to protect the weld metal from oxidation, which results in a better weld appearance and mechanical properties.
Here are some of the benefits of using Argon and CO2 combination in the form of table:
| No. | Benefits | Description |
| 1 | Good Balance | Argon and CO2 gas combination are used in MIG welding because it provides a good balance of heat, shielding, and arc stability. |
| 2 | Reduces Spatter | The Argon is added to the weld pool to reduce spatter, which helps to prevent contamination of the weld. |
| 3 | Improves Arc Stability | It also makes the arc easier to control, which improves arc stability. |
| 4 | Cleaner Weld | CO2 gas is used as a shielding gas and helps to protect the molten metal from oxygen in the atmosphere. This results in a cleaner weld with less porosity and less chance of cracking during cooling. |
| 5 | Good Weld Penetration | The argon-CO2 mixture is commonly used for MIG welding of stainless steels, mild steels, and aluminum alloys due to its ability to provide good arc stability at high current levels while providing excellent weld penetration at lower currents. |
| 6 | Effective Choice | It’s particularly useful when welding thick sections where more heat is required than what can be achieved with argon alone. |
Can Argon CO2 Mix be Best for TIG Welding?
Argon CO2 mix is not the best choice for TIG welding because 100% argon is better. TIG welding uses a non-consumable electrode. The welder controls the amount of heat by varying the gas flow.
Argon CO2 mix works well with MIG welding, and I recommended it because it reduces spatter and allows for more precise control over the weld puddle than other gases.
However, when mixed with carbon dioxide, it can become less effective at preventing spatter and controlling the weld puddle.
When using 100% argon for TIG welding, you can adjust the gas flow to create a smoother weld puddle and prevent spatter from occurring.
This makes it ideal for TIG welding because 100% argon creates less distortion than mixed gases like argon CO2 mixes do.
Final Words!
The alloys that are often seen as the best choices for MIG welding, such as mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys, can be welded using MIG welding with argon CO2 mix.
The CO2 is added to the argon shielding gas to better control porosity when welding thick sections.
FAQs:
What is the best mix of Co2 Argon for MIG welding?
For MIG welding aluminum and mild steel, the best mix of Co2 Argon to use is a ratio of 75/25. That ratio will give you the best penetration, less spatter, and arc starts while still allowing you to weld thicker material (1/4’’ or larger). If you are using air-cooled torches, a ratio of 70/30 will help eliminate blow out.
Is Argon or Co2 better for MIG welding?
Argon/CO2 mixture works best for MIG welding, and pure argon/pure CO2 is not suggested for this purpose.
How much CO2 do you need for MIG welding?
The amount of CO2 you need for MIG welding will depend on the conditions under which you are welding. The size of your tank, power supply, and torch also factor in. Normally, you should have to use 5 to 25% of CO2 & 75 to 95% of argon for MIG welding.
