A welding wire is a slim metallic rod that is ignited to generate a heated arc for the purpose of fusing metal pieces together (welding) by rendering the wire soft via hammering or compressing under an applied heat source.

What kind of wire is welding wire?

Welding cable sizes range from 6 awg to 500 MCM. It consists of bare annealed copper per ASTM B-3. The jacket on most welding cable is thermoset, typically EPDM or Neoprene. The most widely manufactured colors of standard welding cable are black and red.

What is a MIG welding wire used for?

MIG power sources use a continuous solid wire electrode for filler metal and require a shielding gas delivered from a pressurized gas bottle. Mild steel solid wires are usually plated with copper to prevent oxidation, aid in electrical conductivity and help increase the life of the welding contact tip.