Steel grades known as S235, S275 and

S355 are Carbon Manganese steels, as

well as the now obsolete grades such
as BS4360 43A and 50D.
These steels are eminently weldable
using 6013 electrodes or G3Si1 (SG2)
MIG wire up to 18mm thick. Above that
its probably wise to change to 7018
electrodes but the wire can remain as
G3Si1 or SG2. This MIG wire is usually
low hydrogen, often lower than low
hydrogen electrodes, but beware of
some of the lesser known brands.
Some of the higher grades of mild steel
need low hydrogen rods to match the
strength, and some need low alloy
(such as 1% Nickel steel) for strength
and low temperature toughness.
Mild steel structure during lifting
load test
The thicker the steel the more stresses
and strains are produced by the heat of
welding. 7018s produce a cleaner, more
ductile and stronger weld metal better
equipped to withstand these higher
stresses. Also the thicker the plate the
greater the chance of hydrogen
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Welding - The DIY Guide > Welding Different Steels > Mild Steel
Welding Mild Steel
These days mild steel is usually Carbon Manganese steel. Traditional mild steel
used to contain less than 0.10% Carbon in Iron but it is rare these days. Now
Carbon Manganese steels have taken over and are commonly called mild steel.
They contain more Carbon and also Manganese which improves the strength
whilst retaining the ductility / malleability.
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induced cracking. 7018s are low
hydrogen and as such are less prone.
Less than 18mm use 6013
Greater than 18mm use 7018
Increasing thickness use preheat
Dye penetrant test on mild steel
lifting eye
Mild Steel MIG Wire SG2 or
SG3
Just to confuse us the designations SG2
and SG3 are now obsolete, replaced by
G3Si1 and G4Si1 respectively. Thats
right SG2 is now G3Si1 and SG3 is now
G4Si1.
The old A18 designation is really SG2.
The American spec AWS ER70S-6
encompasses both the G3Si1 and the
G4Si1, although for commercial/
production reasons it is more likely to
be G3Si1.
What is the difference? Well G4Si1 has
higher Silicon and Manganese making it
both higher strength and better able to
cope with rusty steel plate without
producing porous welds.
Many believe SG3 or G4Si1 is higher
grade, better quality. It isnt its just
different. Because of the higher Si it
flows better and for this reason many
welders prefer it to SG2. SG3 also
carries current better and will produce
welds of acceptable appearance on
settings at least 100 amps higher than
G3Si1 mild steel MIG welding wire
SG2, with advantageous affect on
productivity. This grade also appears
the best suited to some of the new
electronic wave form control equipment
such as Surface Tension Transfer (STT).
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