What is cold wire?

Cold wire is a thin wire used in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), also known as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, to feed weld material into the welding area. It is fed into the welding zone by a wire feeder and is melted by the welding arc, creating the weld pool.

The wire is typically a solid metal, but it can also be flux-cored, meaning it contains a flux material in the core that helps to clean and protect the weld metal. Cold wire is typically made from mild steel, but it can also be made from stainless steel, aluminium, or other materials.

The diameter of the wire is typically between 0.025 and 0.063 inches (0.64 and 1.60 mm). The thickness of the wire is selected based on the thickness of the material being welded and the desired welding speed.

Cold wire is used in a variety of welding applications, including general fabrication, welding of automotive components, and shipbuilding. It is a relatively inexpensive and efficient method of welding, and it can be used to weld a variety of materials.