MiG

Mig is an acronym used in different contexts, most commonly in aviation and welding.

In aviation, MiG refers to fighter aircraft designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau, a Soviet-era bureau established in 1939 by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG line includes a wide range of jet fighters, from early models such as the MiG-15 to the widely produced MiG-21, and later designs like the MiG-29 and MiG-31. The designation MiG has become a familiar shorthand for these aircraft, which were used by the Soviet Union, its allies, and various export customers. Over time, MiG aircraft have seen numerous upgrades and derivatives, with ongoing development by successor entities in Russia and other countries.

In welding, MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas, a process also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW). The method uses an electric arc to melt a continuous feed of wire electrode through a welding gun, while shielding gas surrounding the arc protects the weld pool from atmospheric contamination. Shielding gases vary by material: argon or helium for nonferrous metals like aluminum, and mixtures of argon with carbon dioxide or pure CO2 for steel. MIG welding is valued for its speed, versatility, and suitability for automation, and it can weld a wide range of thicknesses. Limitations include sensitivity to wind outdoors and, for some applications, reduced control on thin or highly positional joints without proper technique and equipment.

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