Co2, or co2 argon mix

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I have been using straight co2 for shielding gas on my mig since I bought it . I use .035 solid wire . Weld mild steel in various thickness. Would there be any advantage to switching from straight co2 to a co2 argon mix.I know co2 splatters more .Thanks
Reply:CO2 is deeper penetrating than C25. That makes it a poor choice for thin sheet like autobody work with small wire.Other than that it's usually the lack of spatter that's the big difference. Guys usually go with 100% Co2 because it's cheap, or because they are trying to wring the most they can out of a smaller 110v machine. ( not that you really gain all that much extra penetration).No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:You could add an argon bottle and have the best of both worlds.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I think 75/25 has a better bead appearance to me and yes a lot less spatter. I welded with straight co2 for several years but switched to 75/25 and won't go back.
Reply:I work for a company that fabricated oil field tank trailers. They consistently used 75/25. Work well.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:I've been using straight co2 as well, no complaints as I rarely do any MIG work on anything smaller that 1/8". If I do, I break out the TIG machine usually. Why drop the extra $$ for the mix...?  Spatter isn't bad if you get your machine dialed in correctly.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Beside the better appearance C25 will have higher mechanical properties. For black iron this has no meaning, for 70ksi+ welds it does. Co2 will also cover junk & work with open roots or large gaps like 6010 does.I use a lot of Co2 with hard wire...Matt
Reply:I'm no authority at all, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I use straight CO2 and it works well, but it is messier but cheap. The idea that it works hotter is true, I guess, but recently in another thread it was pointed out to me that while it works hotter, it also takes a more powerful machine (more amps) to get that hotter work out of it.Dan pointed me to this simple explanation of what I'm talking about. The Link is > HERE <This is the money quote....For example, the thermal conductivity of helium and CO2 is much higher than that of argon because of this, they deliver more heat to the weld. Therefore, helium and CO2 require more welding voltage and power to maintain a stable arc.