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Solid wire for semi-automatic and automatic welding applications. Good feedability, and consistent welding performance. Very good weldability, a stable arc, and low spatter. High productivity.
Practical answers on choosing, using and storing A18 copper-coated mild steel MIG wire on 5kg reels.
Wires of this class are normally run on either straight CO2 or an argon-rich mix with CO2, and the maker's data sheet lists the gases it is classified for. Straight CO2 tends to give deeper penetration but a harsher arc and more spatter. Argon-rich mixes usually give a smoother arc and a neater bead, and are generally kinder on thinner material.The argon/CO2 ratio matters too, as different mixes give different arc behaviour and spatter levels. If you change gas, expect to adjust voltage and wire speed, and follow your welder's settings chart.
Excess spatter is most often caused by settings out of balance, such as a voltage that is too low or too high for the wire feed speed, or a stick-out that is too long. Start from your welder's settings chart and adjust voltage and wire speed together.Rust and mill scale add to spatter, as does a worn or wrong contact tip, poor gas coverage and a damp wire. Argon-rich gas mixes spatter less than straight CO2, so a clean joint, good tip and nozzle and the right gas all help.
Wires with extra silicon and manganese deoxidisers are often described as more forgiving of light surface oxide than lower-deoxidiser wires, but the tolerance is limited and varies between wires. Maker guidance is that rust or mill scale on the base metal increases both spatter and the risk of porosity.For good results, grind or brush the joint clean first, and for structural or code work follow the preparation requirements in your welding procedure. Check the wire data sheet for what the maker says about surface condition.
Match the diameter to the metal thickness and to your welder's output range. Finer wire such as 0.6 to 0.8 mm suits thin sheet and lighter welders. Around 0.8 to 0.9 mm is a common choice for light fabrication, and heavier sections on higher-powered machines commonly use 1.0 to 1.2 mm.Guidance varies between sources, so treat these ranges as a starting point. Your welder's manual and settings chart, and the wire data sheet, give the range for each size. Fit the drive rolls, liner and contact tip to the wire diameter you choose.
