Short answer: MIG welding wire selection starts with the base metal: ER70S-6 for carbon steel, 308L and 316L for stainless and 4043 or 5356 for aluminium; match the gas and size to the joint, with supply in our Welding Wire Supplier and the joint detail in our Metal Welding Guide.
At a Glance
Why Wire Grade Matters
The wire must match the base metal chemistry so the weld keeps the same strength and corrosion resistance, with base grades in our Carbon Steel Supplier and Stainless Steel Buyers Guide.
Carbon Steel: ER70S-6
ER70S-6 is the workhorse for mild and structural steel thanks to deoxidisers that tame porosity, with setup notes in our How to Weld Carbon Steel guide.
Stainless: 308L and 316L
The L grades are low carbon to avoid carbide corrosion after heating, with the corrosion link in our How to Weld Stainless Steel guide.
Aluminium Wire
ER4043 flows easily and ER5356 is stronger for structural work, with the alloy view in our Aluminium Supplier page and the process detail in our How to Weld Aluminium guide.
Size, Gas and Quality
Use 0.8 to 1.2 mm for sheet and 1.2 to 1.6 mm for heavier work, verify each lot with our Quality Inspection Guide and keep documents per our Mill Test Certificate Guide.
Get a Quote
Tell HXSCO your requirements and we will respond with a competitive quote and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
ER70S-6 with argon plus CO2 gas.
308L for 304, 316L for 316 marine and chemical.
0.8 or 1.0 mm to limit heat.
No – match chemistry to the base metal.
5356 is stronger for structural aluminium.
Get a Welding Wire Quote
HXSCO supplies MIG wire in ER70S-6, 308L, 316L and aluminium grades with MTC. Send grade, diameter and quantity for a quote.