The relationships between spray transfer forms and shielding gases for GMAW and its new breakthroughs were discussed.The results show that the spray transfer forms can be subdivided into four types: drop spray

streaming spray

rotating spray and pulsespray transfer. The realization of spray transfer forms in GMAW depends on three major factors:first

the argon-enriched mixed shielding gas;second

the direction of the electromagnetic force is downward;and third

the welding current is equal to or greater than the transition current. When using pure Ar shielding gas and rich Ar mixed gas

there are three main factors formed by the spray transfer

which can realize the spray transfer form. When the pure CO

2

shielding gas is used

there are no three main factors formed by the spray transfer

and it is impossible to generate spray transfer form. The exploratory study of the GMAW spray transfer form with pure CO

2

shielding gas will help to discover the new practical droplet transfer form in GMAW.