MIG

Science & Engineering abbreviation · Engineering

MIG
Stands forMetal inert gas (welding)
CategoriesScience & Engineering

MIG stands for Metal inert gas (welding), an engineering abbreviation.

Arc welding process in which a continuously fed wire electrode melts into the joint while a shielding gas protects the weld. MIG is fast and relatively easy to learn, making it the most common process in fabrication shops, auto body repair and home workshops.

Example: Set the MIG welder to 18 volts and 250 inches per minute of wire for 1/8-inch steel.

Usage notes

The formal name is gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Strictly, "MIG" applies to inert gases such as argon; steel is usually welded with argon-carbon dioxide mixtures, technically metal active gas (MAG) welding. The process was developed in the late 1940s at the Battelle Memorial Institute. MiG is also a family of Russian fighter aircraft.

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