Welding is a sheer form of Art. It is a subtle process of joining materials together where high heat is used to melt the core materials typically added with a filler material. The parts that are joined are core materials and the material that is added to help build the joint is called filler material. Different types of welding is usually used on metals but they too can be applied on thermoplastics.
Mastering in welding may not be as easy as it thought to be. There are a handful of welding types you may find effective. Some techniques are completely labor-intensive whereas others require industrial-grade delicacy. Here we introduce you—- different types of welding processes to let you know how they run and what they are most appropriate for.
Different Types of Welding Techniques
There are a variety of different processes with their own techniques and applications for your project, these include-
1. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG)
TIG welding is one of the most popular types of welding due to its effectiveness without even a filler material. In this process a tungsten electrode is used to heat the metal that is welded. It remains undistorted during the welding process and produces very clean plus accurate welds on any metal. While operating with hands, it requires manual expertise and at the same time patience.
You will need a gas tank with TIG welding to provide the constant source of gas necessary to protect the weld and the tungsten from taint. It creates no smoke or spatters during welding but you have to make sure the metal is clean and free from any oil or grease elements.
However, TIG welding is ideal for sculptures, automotive welds, aircraft or aerospatial industry, as well as autobody repairs.
2. Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)
MIG welding, also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding, is a process that uses a constant fed solid electrode to supply the electrical power for melting the base metal and then fill it in the weld joint. And a continuous supply of gas creates a shield to protect the weld from unnecessary elements.
MIG welding is one of the basic ways to weld, and is easily performed by beginners. It can be used on all types of commercially available metals and alloys and in a number of different base metal densities. And also, it is a low-cost welding process. That is why it is popularly used in the automotive industries, construction and high-production manufacturing projects.
3. Flux-Cored Arc Welding
Flux-cored arc welding is a semi-automatic arc welding process that is similar to MIG welding. Like MIG, this welding process also uses a shielding gas, but it can also be performed without shielding gas. But this FCAW welding uses a hollow, tube-shaped electrode filled with flux instead of a solid metal electrode that generates heat to melt the base metal in the weld joint area.
However, the process can be divided into two types depending on the shielding method; one that uses an outer shielding gas and one that fully relies on the flux core itself for protecting the weld area. But the process where we do shielding with flux can be easily used outdoors or even in rough weather. This makes the process extremely productive and more suitable for outdoor welding applications.
4. Laser Beam Welding
In Laser Beam Welding, a laser welding device accelerates the radiation by producing an extremely narrow and intensive beam on the weld surface with deep penetration. When the beam is pinpointed on a metal surface it can raise the heat to the melting point. You will need no filler material.
Laser Beam welding is an elite category of welding where welding equipment is very expensive. The welds are performed mostly in aerospace research industries and automotive. They use the laser guns of higher power consumptions.
5. Stick Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Stick Shielded Metal Arc Welding, commonly known as Stick Welding, is one of the most used traditional welding techniques all over the United States. The stick-shaped electrode is mainly the reason behind its name. This is a manual process of welding where a flux-coated electrode, with the help of gas that prevents oxidation, creates heat on the core material. But when the metal cools, the gas forms a slag on the surface.
If you compare it with other methods such as TIG, Stick welding is inexpensive. It is primarily used to weld iron and steel. It is able to work with any position and thickness. Also, it is portable. However, unless you are a skilled welder it can kill much of your time.
6. Plasma Arc Welding
Plasma Arc Welding process is very similar to TIG, as a tungsten electrode is used to heat the weld. But in Plasma cut welding, a smaller plasma arc with a higher temperature is used. When the electrode is set within the torch body, the plasma arc can be separated from the protecting gas. Plasma is then pushed through a narrow copper tube which restricts the arc.
The plasma arc method uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode plus the arc can be formed by strengthening the plasma throughout a tube. This arc welding can be productively used with any thick and hard metal. This welding technique is mainly used in the aerospace industry, aircraft and the electronics industry.
7. Electroslag Welding
In the electroslag welding process, an electrode is led through an electrically charged molten slag that melts the filler metal and the surfaces of the base metal. Water-cooled copper dams are used to hold the weld metal and slag joints tightly from both sides. The current is then transferred with the slag instead of any arc, as they both have similar types of functions.
However, Electro slag welding is generally used for welding in the vertical or flat position. It can have extremely high deposition rates, but only one single pass is required no matter how thick the base is. That is why this type of welding is very popular in the steel industries such as ships, large containers and heavy engineering structures. Btw, Keep welding safety during any welding work!
Conclusion
In brief, every sector of engineering and construction depends on the welding technology. In recent years, welding has become more innovative and well-equipped. It’s spread a new world of development before us.
Here we have mentioned the most popular welding types throughout the metal and steel industries currently. But we also find nearly 25 to 30 types of more welding techniques that are in practice all over the world.
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