Sometimes referred to by metal inert gas (MIG) welding or metal active gas (MAG) welding. This is a welding process in which an electric arc forms between a consumable wire electrode and the workpiece. The arc is produced by an electrode formed by a continuous wire and the pieces to be joined, the wire being protected from the surrounding atmosphere by an inert gas (MIG) or an active gas (MAG).

This process makes it possible to make faster welds and it is a versatile process, since the metal of the wire can be deposited at a high speed and in all positions. This procedure is widely used in thin or medium thicknesses.