What is pulsed MIG welding, and for what you can use it?

ABC spawania

What is pulsed MIG welding, and for what you can use it?

26 lutego 2024

Pulsed MIG/MAG welding is a significant improvement in welding technology, offering accuracy, productivity, and flexibility that conventional welding methods can hardly compete with. This advanced process has become popular for professionals looking to improve weld quality, especially in demanding applications. Here's a closer look at how pulsed MIG/MAG welding works and the situations where it truly shines.

Susanna Norja

Understanding pulsed MIG/MAG welding

Pulsed MIG/MAG welding is an advanced variant of MIG (Metal Inert Gas) or MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding that changes the welding current at set intervals, producing a series of high-peak currents mixed with lower background currents. This controlled pulsing action allows transferring single droplets of molten metal from the electrode to the weld pool during the high-peak phase while maintaining the arc and minimizing heat input during the lower background phase. Later in this article, we will only use the term MIG welding, but we will refer to both MIG and MAG welding.

How pulsed MIG welding works

The output current alternates between high and low values for each pulse. This alternating current creates an arc that switches between hot and warm phases during welding. The high current melts the filler wire into the weld pool. The low current phase is where the magic happens. It prevents burn-through and deformation by minimizing heat input. Imagine it as a dance: hot steps for penetration, followed by gentle steps to avoid overheating.

Advantages of pulsed MIG welding

Say goodbye to post-weld cleanup nightmares. Pulsed MIG welding gives welders greater control over the weld bead profile, penetration, and overall aesthetics. It is ideal for welding, where managing the weld pool and heat input is critical.

This method significantly reduces spatter and allows welding at lower overall heat inputs. The result is a cleaner weld area and minimized risk of welding deformation and distortion, which is particularly beneficial for thin and heat-sensitive materials or complex shapes.

When do you need pulsed MIG welding

  • Welding thin materials

The pulsed MIG welding process is ideal for working with thin materials because of its low heat input characteristic, which reduces the risk of burn-through and distortion. However, various short arc welding processes are often the best option for welding very thin steels.

  • Welding Aluminum and Stainless Steel

This is why it's also an excellent welding method for Aluminum and Stainless Steel. You can prevent issues like cracking or distortion by having precise control and lower heat input.

  • When you need high aesthetic results

When the application requires high aesthetic standards, pulsed MIG welding can produce clean, visually appealing beads with minimal cleanup required.

  • When you want to improve throughput time

The reduction in spatter improves the weld's quality and decreases post-weld cleanup time, enhancing overall productivity.

AlMg5-4mm-AlMg5-1.2mm-Argon

AlMg5-4mm-AlMg5-1.2mm-Argon

316RST-5mm-316LSi-1.0mm-Ar+2%co²

316RST-5mm-316LSi-1.0mm-Ar+2%co²

Fe-5mm-fe-1.0mm-Ar+18%co²

Fe-5mm-fe-1.0mm-Ar+18%co²

Conclusion

Pulsed MIG welding is an advanced technique that combines the advantages of standard MIG welding with better control over heat input and metal transfer. It can lower spatter, reduce distortion, and provide superior control, making it a valuable tool for any welder, especially for applications that need accuracy and skill. Pulsed MIG welding is a technique that can elevate the quality of your welding projects to new heights.

Discover Kemppi's handy single-phase pulse MIG welding machine >>> Master M 205

Susanna Norja
Author

Susanna Norja

Editor-in-chief of the Welding Value blog, content producer and Social Media Manager at Kemppi until March 2024.

Więcej postów na blogu

Understanding and preventing common welding defects

Understanding and preventing common welding defects

Welding demands precision, but even skilled welders can encounter defects. Understanding common welding issues is critical to ensure high-quality results. Here are some frequent welding defects and how to avoid them.

ABC spawania

MIG/MAG welding arc types

MIG/MAG welding arc types

In MIG/MAG welding, the mode of material transfer between the filler wire and the weld pool changes in line with the welding current.

ABC spawania

Wysokiej jakości spawanie impulsowe 1-fazowym urządzeniem spawalniczym MIG/MAG

Wysokiej jakości spawanie impulsowe 1-fazowym urządzeniem spawalniczym MIG/MAG

Wszechstronność przenośnych urządzeń spawalniczych była dotąd ograniczona przez brak możliwości spawania impulsowego MIG/MAG. Argumentowano, że do uzyskania wysokiej jakości spawania impulsowego MIG/MAG niezbędne jest zasilanie 3 fazowe.

Spawanie ręczne

How does steel welding benefit from special processes?

How does steel welding benefit from special processes?

Welding mild steels may often be considered a simple task. However, welding these steels has specific characteristics that can make the welding process challenging.

Spawanie ręczne, ABC spawania

New Kemppi Robotics Team

New Kemppi Robotics Team

Achieving strategic goals and enhancing customer experience

Ludzie

Jak wybrać uchwyt spawalniczy do spawania MIG/MAG

Jak wybrać uchwyt spawalniczy do spawania MIG/MAG

Spawanie MIG/MAG jest jednym z najbardziej rozpowszechnionych i wszechstronnych procesów spawalniczych. Jest stosowane w najróżniejszych branżach, takich jak motoryzacja, budownictwo, produkcja i konserwacja. Do osiągnięcia optymalnych wyników potrzebny jest jednak odpowiedni uchwyt spawalniczy.

Spawanie ręczne, ABC spawania

Zapisz się do naszego newsletter i otrzymuj informacje o nowościach Kemppi jako pierwszy.

Iscrivendoti, accetti di ricevere e-mail di marketing da Kemppi.

Prekursor w dziedzinie spawania łukowego

Firma Kemppi jest liderem w dziedzinie projektowania urządzeń do spawania łukowego. Poprzez ciągłe doskonalenie charakterystyki łuku spawalniczego staramy się zapewniać coraz wyższą jakość i wydajność spawania, jednocześnie pracując na rzecz bardziej ekologicznego i równego świata. Firma Kemppi dostarcza zaawansowane zrównoważone produkty, rozwiązania cyfrowe i usługi dla profesjonalistów — od firm zajmujących się spawaniem w warunkach przemysłowych po wykonawców indywidualnych. Naszym celem nadrzędnym jest użyteczność i niezawodność produktów. Działamy w oparciu o sieć wysoko wykwalifikowanych partnerów obejmującą ponad 70 krajów, dzięki czemu jesteśmy w stanie obsługiwać klientów lokalnie. Firma Kemppi z siedzibą w Lahti w Finlandii zatrudnia ponad 650 specjalistów ds. spawania w 16 krajach i w 2023 r. osiągnęła obrót 209 mln EUR.

Kemppi – Designed for welders

Copyright © 2024 Kemppi Oy