Which material does MIG welding commonly use as a filler?

MIG welding commonly uses steel as a filler material due to its versatility, strength, and wide availability. Steel is suitable for a variety of applications, ranging from automotive manufacturing to construction, making it a staple in MIG welding processes. The process itself utilizes a consumable wire electrode that melts and adds material to the weld pool, effectively creating strong joints in steel components.

The characteristics of steel, including its ability to be easily molded and welded, contribute to its prevalence in MIG welding. It also offers good compatibility with a variety of shielding gases, which protect the weld pool from contamination, further enhancing the integrity and quality of the weld. This makes steel a preferred choice for most MIG welding applications. Other materials like aluminum and copper, while weldable by MIG processes, typically require different settings, techniques, or specialized wires, making steel the most common option.