Welding is a fabrication process that joins two or more materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, using heat, pressure, or both to form a strong, permanent bond. The process involves melting the base materials, which then solidify as one piece, forming a weld. The resulting joint is known as a weldment, and the conjoined parts are known as the parent material. The material used to create the weldment is called a filler or consumable. Welding is generally done on metals but is also used for fusing wood or thermoplastic parts.
There are many different types of welding processes, including:
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Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)/Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding: This process uses a shielding gas along the wire electrode, which heats up the two metals to be joined. This method requires a constant voltage and direct-current power source and is the most common industrial welding process.
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Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): This process involves manual techniques using a flux-coated electrode consumable. It is often used in the construction of steel structures and in industrial fabrication to weld iron, steel, and using the open V-Groove when welding with mild steel pipe.
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Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): This process involves continuously feeding a wire as your weld, much like MIG welding. However, it uses a flux-cored electrode instead of a solid wire and can be used outdoors in windy conditions.
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Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding: This process is typically used for welding thin and non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, lead, or nickel. TIG welding is different from other processes because it uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to form a weld.
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Resistance Welding: This process involves applying pressure and passing current through the metal parts to be joined, causing them to heat up and fuse together.
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Laser Welding: This process uses a high-powered laser to melt and fuse the materials together.
Welding requires a high skill level and practical knowledge of subjects like physics, chemistry, and metallurgy. It is a convenient way of binding materials together without adhesives, nails, or other fusing material, and it is quicker, more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable compared to other methods.
