Welding is one of the most essential industrial processes used in almost all manufacturing industries. It has been used for more than 100 years and continues to be a critical process across various different fields. According to a survey done by the American Welding Society in the year 2019, 50% of all products manufactured contain welded components.
With over 5 million welding jobs available in the US, the demand for welders is expected to grow by a whopping 12% in the coming decade. Today, we’ll be looking into the topic of ‘What is industrial welding?
‘ So strap in for the ride and make sure to keep reading to learn more about this essential industrial process!
What is Industrial Welding?
Industrial welding is the process of permanently joining metal or plastic materials together using extreme heat, pressure, and a flux material. This form of welding is used in industrial settings, such as factories, for the purpose of fabricating metal parts for machinery and other equipment.Industrially welded components are highly predictable and reliable, making industrial welding a popular choice for many applications. When discussing what industrial welding is, it should be noted that there are three distinct types of welding processes – gas welding, arc welding, and resistance welding.
Each type of welding involves specific procedures, materials and equipment, as well as has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Gas Welding
Gas welding is a basic welding technique that utilizes fuel gases such as acetylene and hydrogen, and an oxygen source, such as an air compressor, to generate an intense heat. Preheating materials with a gas flame before welding is recommended in gas-welded constructions to ensure faster and more complete weld penetration.Arc Welding
Arc welding is a common process in which an electrical current is used to generate an electric arc between the base metal and a consumable electrode. The heat generated from the arc melts the metal, and pressure is added to fuse it together.The most common type of arc welding is shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), which uses a consumable electrode made of flux coating with a bare wire core to provide protection from the arc’s heat and ultra violet rays.
Resistance Welding
Resistance welding has a relatively narrow field of application compared to other welding techniques, but it’s widely used in today’s industry.This process creates a weld through the application of a combination of electrical current and pressure. With resistance welding, two parts are squeezed together while an electric current is applied, creating resistance to generate heat. The heat deforms the parts, and the pressure applied ensures that they remain together permanently.
Another type of resistance welding is spot welding. It takes two flat pieces of metal and welds them together with a heat conduction process. The two pieces are essentially clamped together, and then a current is passed through them, setting off a reaction that creates heat at the point of contact and creates the weld. Overall, industrial welding is essential for many different types of applications, from everyday items to high-tech machinery. It is widely used in many fields ranging from automotive, aerospace and construction industries to shipbuilding, railways and energy production. Industrial welding is a skilled job, and it requires the experience and expertise of a certified welder to ensure all welds have been applied effectively, efficiently, and safely. ConclusionIndustrial welding is an essential part of metal fabrication, whether it be for everyday items or high-tech machinery. It can use a variety of welding processes such as gas welding, arc welding, and resistance welding to join two pieces of material together. This process requires the skill and expertise of a certified welder to ensure the welds are applied effectively, safely and efficiently. Citation URLs: https://www. lincolnelectric. com/en-us/knowledge/articles/2018/02/what-is-industrial-weldinghttps://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Weldinghttps://www. welding. com/en/welding-processes/resistance-welding/https://www. welding. com/en/welding-processes/arc-welding/https://www. welding. com/en/welding-processes/gas-welding/