Which gas is typically used to shield the weld area during the GMAW process?

During the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process, the typical gas used to shield the weld area is carbon dioxide. This is because carbon dioxide effectively protects the molten weld pool from contamination by the atmosphere, which can compromise the integrity of the weld. It also has the added benefit of being cost-effective and readily available, making it a popular choice among welders.

While argon is often used in GMAW, particularly for aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, it is not as commonly associated with the process as carbon dioxide is, especially for mild steel applications. Oxygen is generally not used as a shielding gas in GMAW because it can lead to oxidation of the weld, which negatively affects the quality of the joint. Helium can also be used in some specialized applications, but it tends to be more expensive and is less commonly used than carbon dioxide and argon. Therefore, for standard applications, carbon dioxide remains the primary shielding gas utilized in the GMAW process.