We are clearly speaking of MIG / MAG welding, also called wire welding. We immediately go to the sodo: how will we choose the right diameter of the wire based on the work we need to do?
I report this simple table, easy to consult, so as to clarify ideas immediately:
| Sheet metal (mm) | > 0.6 and <1.0 | 1,0 | 2,0 | from 3.0 to 4.0 | from 4.0 to 10.0 | >10,0 |
| Full wire (mm) | from 0.6 to 0.8 | 0,8 | from 0.8 to 1.0 | from 0.8 to 1.2 | 1,2 | from 1.4 to 1.6 |
| Animated wire (mm) | 1,0 | 1,2 | 1,4 |
On the first row we find the thickness of a sheet. A minimum of 0.6 mm is taken into consideration.
On the second line we find the thread diameters which involves the use of gas, which we call full thread. Here too the values are expressed in millimeters.
On the third line we can read the values relating to the animated wire, or the thread that has a soul of chemical materials that enhance its properties and allow the welding to be carried out without the use of gas. This happens because the chemical materials of the soul that are released during welding have the function of creating an inert atmosphere, not allowing the air to oxidize the metal. That is the same function that has gas.
This explains why you can use slightly lower diameters with the animated wire, precisely because its properties allow you to make a more structural and effective welding.