Welding is an essential craft practiced by generations of skilled workers. It is an essential part of the industrial and construction sectors, used to create and repair parts and components in various applications. There are many types of welding techniques available, ranging from arc welding to oxyacetylene welding.
But what category does welding fall under?In the US alone, there are over 300,000 welding businesses employing over 400,000 people.
At an estimated value of $50 billion, the welding industry is an important part of the US economy. Welding processes are used in the manufacture of goods from bicycles to bridges, and it is estimated that at least 15-20 percent of all products sold worldwide are connected with welding of some kind. Welding is also a key part of the global oil and gas industry.
What Category Is Welding Under?
Welding is a process in which materials such as metals or thermoplastics are joined together by melting and reforming them. It is a process used in different industries for joining materials permanently.Welding is most commonly used to weld metals including iron, steel, and aluminum.
Classification of Welding
Welding is classified on the basis of different works such as welding processes, objectives, materials, alloys, and thickness.- Welding Processes
Welding can be classified into two main categories, the fusion welding processes and the pressure welding processes. Fusion welding involves melting and joining two material together, this includes processes like arc welding, TIG welding and oxy-fuel welding. The pressure welding processes don’t use heat, they are done by cold pressure or friction welding and include processes like squeeze or upset welding and projection welding. - Objectives
Welding can also be classified based on the objective, these include: structural welding, maintenance welding, ordinary welding, and special purpose welding. Structural welding is done to support high load structures like bridges, ships, and aircrafts.Maintenance welding is to repair damaged materials, usually with bad welds. Ordinary welding is used to complete everyday joints and components used in production. And special purpose welding is to complete complex components used in custom projects.
- Materials
Welding is classified based on the materials used in the process. These include ferrous, non-ferrous and thermoplastics.Ferrous materials are those containing iron like steel and cast iron. Non-ferrous materials are those that don’t contain iron and include aluminum, magnesium and titanium. Thermoplastics can also be welded and include materials like HDPE, PP and PVDF.
- Alloys
Welding can also be classified on the basis of alloys used in the welding process. These include low alloy steels, high alloy steels, stainless steels and nickel alloys. Low alloy steels are less resistant to corrosion and heat and are mostly used in construction and manufacturing. High alloy steels are more resistant to heat and are mainly used in power plants and chemical process industries. Stainless steels are corrosion resistant and have good weldability and are used in kitchen appliances, chemical storage tanks and nuclear plants. Nickel alloys are high strength and corrosion resistant and are used in aerospace and petrochemical industries. - Thickness
Welding can also be classified based on the thickness of the material to be joined. This includes thin-section welding, medium-section welding and heavy-section welding. Thin-section welding involves working with materials up to a maximum of 1/8 inch thick. Medium-section welding involves working with materials up to 3/8 inch thick. Heavy-section welding involves working with materials over 3/8 inch thick.