For thousands of years, mankind has been using the welding arc for joining metals. The advantages of the welding arc are numerous and its importance in manufacturing industries can’t be understated.
Its use in vehicles, aerospace, and building is invaluable, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that the reason why there is an estimated 20 million metric tons of welded structures being produced around the world. In this article, we will discuss the basics of what a welding arc is, and its various uses in the industry.
What is a Welding Arc?
Welding arc is a process of fusing two materials often metals together with heat and pressure through an electrical arc. It relies on an electric current to form an electrically charged arc between the materials being joined.The electric current is formed from electricity, a power source, which passes through a wire and into the point where the materials are to be joined. The arc is struck when the wire touches the material, which then provides a current that heats the material to high temperatures and then melt them together making them one.
Different types of Welding
There are various types of welding processes available, but the main common ones are:- Arc Welding: Arc welding employs the use of an electrical arc to form a connection between two or more materials. This electrical arc is struck between the materials, which then causes the materials to heat up and fuse together.
- MIG Welding: MIG welding or Metal Inert Gas welding, is another popular welding process and is often used to weld large items of metal together in an industrial setting.
- TIG Welding: TIG welding or Tungsten Inert Gas welding is another type of welding process. It is usually used for thin pieces of metal, and is used mainly to join small items of metal together.
- Flux Cored Arc Welding: Flux Cored Arc Welding is a variation on arc welding that is used mainly for welding steel. It involves an electric arc running between two pieces of metal, which then causes the metal to heat up and fuse together.
What is the process of Welding?
The process of welding begins by setting up the welding machine and then attaching a protective mask. The mask is important for protecting your eyes, skin, and lungs from the welding fumes which can be toxic.Next, the operator will prepare the area by cleaning the work surface and ensuring it is clean and free of debris or contaminants. After that, the operator will select the type of welding they require and then apply an appropriate power setting to the machine based on the type of welding they are doing. The welding arc is then struck and the operator will move the arc slowly over the surface of the material, ensuring the correct amount of heat is applied. After that, the operator will then allow the molten material to cool and solidify.