Understanding Welding And It’s Common Types

By Author: coding4welders
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Welding constitutes of over a dozen distinct processes, many of which can even be traced to the ‘forge’ welding done in prehistoric times. However, since 1940s with different types of products used in manufacturing and construction, many new techniques have evolved and have further been patented to ensure regularity. Today, welding is done even on plastics. Welding certifications refer to the procedure which a welder must adhere to produce a sound weld. Supervised by trained and approved individuals, they are the ones who write the procedures and ultimately certify the welder. These tests make the welder eligible for only a single process of welding and position. There are any types and positions of welding and no certification is available to make you certified for all. You need to take individual test for each.

Welding codes

Today, the cold fact is that there are a countless types of weld coding which help you understand the various coding and understand the work involved. These welders coding certify the welder for a specific time period and are given by reputed and accredited bodies. Mostly, a welder ...
... maintains a logbook which maintains a signed log book to show that they have been into welding for the past six months. This is because it’s very easy for any welder to lose his skill within even a fortnight without consistent practice and persistence. Even a weekend of no work can leave an impact. A consistent practice and good eye/hand coordination is required at all times to be a super welder.

Common welding processes

There are many types of welding processes for which certification need to be taken individually. Some of major processes used most widely today are –

• MIG Welding- MIG or ‘metal inert gas’ formal name is Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). It indicates of the shielding gas emitting from the welding gun alongside a metal filler wire and a hot electric arc. The wire here is deposited into the weld joint by getting fed by a spool. The purpose of the shielding gas is to cut off the oxygen in the air for the time period which is enough to allow the metal to solidify. It is required as the metal is extremely vulnerable to oxidation. The value of this process is similar to the value of point-and-shoot camera to photography. Thus it’s popular with both DIY people and professionals. Sometimes the gas used here is not inert and in that scenario, it becomes MAG welding or ‘metal active gas’ welding.

• Stick Welding- The Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is referred to as ‘stick’ because of the electrical current passing through cellulose coated metal rod resembling a stick. Because of its equipment being lightweight and mobile, this process is widely used in pipelines. It is the messiest of all processes.

• Flux- Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)- A cross of MIG and stick, its equipment operates similar to a MIF welder but require no shielding gas since its filler wire have deoxidizers and flux , similar to the stick rod. A stick electrode has its shielding material on the outside whereas, the flux cored one have them in the core which also defines its name. These are ideal for windy conditions since the flux stays close to the weld pool in contrast to the MIG process where the shielding gas can blow away.

• Dual-Shielded Flux Cored Welding- Because it adds the tank of shielding gas to the flux-cored operation, it is termed dual. It’s ideal for joining thick metals or for difficult out-of-position welding or even with some alloyed steels which require some extra protection. The process is trifle challenging as it leaves a slag layer over the weld like the stick welding. The MIG welding leaves no slag.

• TIG Welding- The TIG or ‘tungsten inert gas’ is also synonymous with Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The electrodes here are crafted of tungsten, a metal which does not melt even at 6200 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus electric current can be safely passed through it. Since the electrodes here are smaller in comparison to the SMAW, it gives more precise welds and facilitates welding in very thin and heat sensitive metals like aluminum or stainless steel.