What is the Globular Transfer?
This type of transfer is a hybrid form of spray and short circuit transfer. When I say a modified form I mean the fact that the electrode does not create a spray or short circuit to transfer the metal. What it does is transfer the filler metal to the joint in the form of lumps. The way it works is that the MIG welder strikes an arc and then the electrode heats up. Once it heats up, a balloon is formed at the end of it. This goop is attracted to the soldered joint and falls off. After that, this process is repeated many times in a minute. The best way to understand this process is to compare it to something more familiar. A leaky faucet! If you think of balloons as drops of water dripping from a faucet, then you can easily visualize how this transfer fills the joint.
Why is globular transfer used?
This type of welding is generally used when the voltage needed to weld is higher than that required for shorting and lower than the needs for spraying. It’s more of a hybrid of solder transfer types. Other places it can be used are metals like stainless steel and aluminum. The main advantage of the globular is that it operates at a higher voltage setting while giving the welder the advantage of greater control over the weld deposit than spray transfer.
How to set up your MIG welder!
If you are going to set up your MIG welder for this type of transfer, you should know that there is no setting or button that says “globular transfer.” The way the transfer types are set is by adjusting the voltage and wire feed speed. Before setting up your machine, you need to know what type of metal will be welded. This will have a direct effect due to the type of shielding gas that will be required. Globular transfer needs a shielding gas containing a high percentage of Argon to a 100% Argon gas.
The way the machine is set up is by first choosing the right shielding gas. This is best done by reading the electrode manufacturer’s instructions or simply by talking to your local welding supply store. They will know what your best option will be or at least narrow it down to a few options based on quality vs. cost. The actual setting of the machine is done by finding the proper voltage setting for the thickness of the metal to be welded. Once you have dialed in that setting, you need to set the wire feed speed. What you’re looking for is a wire feed speed fast enough that you won’t get sprayed and slow enough that you won’t achieve a short circuit transfer. The way you know a globular transfer is taking place is by the sound of welding. It has to sound like it’s exploding. The burst can vary from a series of slow to rapid bursts. While soldering, you should also be able to see how the actual lumps form and fall into the soldered joint. That’s all it takes to set up your welder for globular transfer MIG welding!
