In which type of welding would you typically use a shielding gas?

MIG welding, or Metal Inert Gas welding, uses a shielding gas that protects the weld pool from contamination during the welding process. This gas, typically a mix of argon and carbon dioxide, helps to stabilize the arc and prevents atmospheric gases such as oxygen and nitrogen from entering the weld area. This is crucial because such contaminants can lead to defects in the weld, compromising strength and quality.

The use of shielding gas in MIG welding allows for cleaner, more precise welds, making it effective for a variety of materials, especially thin sheets of metal. The continuous feed of filler material in MIG welding also benefits from the protective atmosphere provided by the shielding gas, enhancing both the speed and the overall characteristics of the weld. This characteristic distinguishes MIG welding from other welding processes, such as stick welding, where the electrode itself provides some level of shielding but does not utilize an external gas.