You’re a welding beginner and you have no idea where to begin? Or could it be that you are trying to weld something together but it does not seem to work? Perhaps that is because you have gone with the wrong method. Why don’t you start scrolling down to get more insights on the different types of welding that are commonly used? Maybe there is something that can come to your aid.
Table of Contents
What Is Welding?
Welding is a technological term referring to the act of joining two or more parts together by heat or pressure, or in some cases, both. The main elements that are welded together are considered parent materials. Meanwhile, the substances added to help shape the weld are called auxiliary materials such as hinges, joints and whatnot.
Primarily, this method was designed for piecing metal (you know, things that adhesive barely had any effect on) together and holding them in place. Still, despite its core function, it is also a good fit for plastic and wood.
Different Types Of Welding
All right, so you have grasped the basic concept of welding. Let’s now get to the juicy part of the whole article: The varieties of welding. How many types does welding come in? What sets them apart from each other? It all will be revealed right now!
1 – Gas Welding
Gas Welding
The name speaks for itself. This welding type uses the combustion heat of combustion gases in Oxygen to fuse-welded metal products and welding rods to form a weld. Most of the time, it is applied in the process of piecing thin metal sheets and some non-ferrous alloys together.
As usual, there are 2 types of gas used: Oxygen to maintain the burning and combustion gases such as Acetylene (C2H2), Hydrogen (H2), coal gas, Benzene, etc.
Want to know which one is the most prevalent one? Well, among them all, acetylene takes the lead. When burning in oxygen, this gas can radiate a heat of about 11470 cal / m3, while its highest temperature can reach 3150 degrees C
2 – Arc Welding
Arc Welding
Arc welding (also called rods welding) is a process of melting solder using electrodes in the form of welding rods (usually coated with electrode coating). This is a rather distinct welding type as there is no need for shielding gas – weather does not have much impact on it, and splatter is not that much of an issue here.
In terms of how it works, an electric arc from an alternative or direct current will generate an extreme heat of around 6500°F that melts the metal and unites the two parts.
3 – T.I.G Welding
TIG Welding
TIG welding is also known by another name – arc welding by non-melting in the protective gas environment, abbreviated as GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding).
This method works for most metals and alloys you can find. It leaves a pretty much clean and free-of-slag weld, which is one of its major merits. Besides, you can control the penetration and shape of the welding puddle with little effort.
4 – M.I.G Welding
MIG Welding
MIG welding is just arc welding – or rather a technique similar in arc welding in many ways. But unlike the usual arc welding, it requires shielding gas. This takes on a vital roles in protecting the arc from the effects of oxygen and nitrogen in the surrounding environment
More often than not, the gas used will fall in the inert type (Ar, He or Ar + He mixture) which doesn’t work with liquid metal during welding or active gases.
Regarding how it works, M.I.G welding makes use of a heated continuous solid wire electrode fed into a weld pool, which happens to be the connection point of two materials. They will later melt, and thus becoming joined.
5 – Laser Welding
Laser Welding
Laser welding is a particular type of molten welding, in which the metals at the junction is fused with a high-powered laser created by optical quantum generators.
Most of the time, this welding technique serves as a means to connect hard-to-reach components, or for welding materials that melt at high temperature (such as ceramics).
6 – Electron Beam Welding
Electron Welding
Electron beam welding (EBW) is the process of melting solder using a beam filled with frenzy-moving electrons on two different materials. The energy of the electrons is going to turn into heat in the process, fusing the matters along the way, and then we have our weld!
In particular, electron beam welding technology is considered the top choice when dealing with hard-to-reach areas, refractory and other ceramic materials.
4 Useful Welding Tips
Electrical safety
Surely you would not want to be the victim of nasty welding accident, would you? So here is something you should etch into your mind before taking on any task.
- Wearing workwear is compulsory
- You must be extremely careful when using the device in humid conditions and when standing on structures made of metal.
- Do not touch the pliers of the two welders directly at the same time when they are in operation.
- Do not use worn-out, small-size or patched welding cables.
Store Your Filler Rod
If you keep your filler rod in somewhere with high humidity, it is likely to get cranky and may go out of order. So, you should store the rods in plastic tubes or containers with tight lids to prevent the environment outside from getting to them.
If possible, classify and mark them to avoid opening the box lid repeatedly as the air may leak in along the way, and this can do a number on all the welding rods you keep in there.
Set Electric Current
Depending on the type of electrode used, the device needs to be set with a direct or alternating current. Now, the manufacturers of the rods often provide information on the current suitable for welding, so you might want to check it before putting them into use.
The welding current can be adjusted according to the following calculation: 1Amp corresponds to 0.0254 mm diameter of the welding rod. You can set the welding current low and then change it to 5 to 10 Amp.
Adjust welding rod angle
You have to learn how to properly fix the welding rod angle if you want to get the best results. Here is a simple way.
If you plan to do surface welding, you should keep the welding rod angle should be between 5 and 15 degrees in the direction of movement. But it is another story for vertical position arc welding. This demands the welding rod angle to be around 0-15 degrees in the opposite direction.
To Sum Up
Have you got the answer to the question “how many different types of welding?” yet? If yes, don’t forget to select a welding method that makes you think it is the most suitable or easiest to get started! Above all, do not forget to note down our tips for better welding. That’s all, see you next time!