Welcome to the world of welding! Over the last few decades, welding has become one of the most widely used metal joining processes.
Among the many welding processes, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is one of the oldest and most widely used welding processes. It is an economical, versatile and simple welding process which provides great dependability and portability. According to the American Welding Society, SMAW is used in approximately 95% of maintenance and repair welding and 85% of construction welding.
With so many applications, let’s take a closer look at “What is SMAW welding used for?”.
What is SMAW Welding?SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding and is sometimes referred to as Stick Welding.
It’s a process that is widely used in industry and by hobbyists alike to join metals by use of an electric current. It is an arc welding process in which an electric arc is established between the electrode, that is held in the hand of the welder and the workpiece.
What is SMAW Welding Used For?
SMAW welding has a wide range of uses and is used to weld together metals of different thicknesses and alloys, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium and copper. It is often used in highly technical projects and requires a skilled welder to carry out complex disciplines.
Advantages of SMAW Welding:
- It’s simple and inexpensive compared to other welding techniques.
- It’s a very reliable and efficient welding process.
- It’s easy to use and portable.
- It can be used in outdoor conditions and hard-to-reach locations.
Disadvantages of SMAW Welding:
- When compared to other welding techniques, it takes longer to finish a job.
- It requires higher skill levels to perform complex tasks.
- It produces more smoke, fumes, and splatter than other welding techniques.
- More time is needed to prepare the work area.