This study focuses on the welding of stainless steel using automatic metal inert gas (MIG) welding, which plays a vital role in achieving high-quality and durable joints. The work investigates how various welding parameters influence the mechanical properties and metallurgical characteristics of 202L stainless steel welds. Experiments were conducted by varying parameters such as wire speed, gas flow rate, current, and voltage. Tensile and impact tests (as per ASTM standards), along with microstructural examination, revealed that wire speed and gas flow significantly influence both the microstructure and overall joint strength. Impact toughness was found to increase with higher welding current, while the ultimate tensile strength initially rose and then decreased beyond an optimal level. The findings provide useful guidance for selecting suitable MIG welding parameters to produce strong and reliable stainless steel components for industrial applications.
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