10.5 Chapter Conclusion
Stephanie Oostman
Summary
This chapter covered GMAW in depth. This welding process can be used with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The machine used is a CV power type machine, which can also be used for FCAW. Changing the wire feed speed, gas type, and voltage will change how the welding wire melts and becomes a weld. The balance of these different settings creates transfer modes, of which there are four basic types: spray transfer, pulsed spray transfer, short circuit, and globular. There are also different GMAW guns such as a spool gun or push-pull gun. GMAW can be used with inert or active gasses which created the slang terms MIG and MAG welding. A welder should be familiar with the internal components of the machine and be comfortable resolving wire jamming and changing out the wire spools.
Review Questions
- What are the different transfer modes for GMAW?
- What type of shielding gas is most common for GMAW?
- Can a welding machine set up for GMAW also be used for FCAW ?
- If #3 is a yes, what equipment do you need to change out? If #3 is no, why not?
- What polarity is used for welding aluminum with the GMA process?
- What is GMAW-P?
- Describe pinch force effect.
- Explain the concerns of using globular transfer mode.
- Are there any recommended oscillation patterns when MIG welding stainless steel joints thicker than 0.25 inches?
- Are there different welding guns you learned about in Chapter 9 that would be appropriate for welding aluminum with GMAW?