Welding refers to the joining of materials like thermoplastics or metals by heating the surfaces to the point of melting to join them seamlessly. Welding requires both pressure and heat to be applied to the materials which are being joined as well as a filler material which created a weld pool that cools, forming a very strong joint.
There are many different types of welding which require different kinds of welding equipment. Check out some of the different types of welding in our guide below.
Arc Welding
When you arc weld, you need electrodes and a power supply to make a welding arc between the material which is being welded and the electrode. This works to melt the materials, then cool down and fuse together. It can be seen that Arc Welding is the most populat welding method.
MIG Welding
This form of welding is also very popular. Standing for Metal Inert Gas welding, MIG welding combines two metal pieces together using a wire connected to the electrode current. The wire passes through a welding stick shielded by inert gas. MIG welding is great because it is user-friendly and requires much less precision by the operator to make a decent weld.
Flux Cored Arc Welding
Similar to MIG welding, Flux Cored Arc Welding uses a tubular wire which is filled with flux. Flux cored arc welding is simple to learn and very affordable, making it a great choice for beginners. However, it should be noted that results are not always aesthetically pleasing.
TIG Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas welding is a non-consumable technique which uses argon gas to produce high quality, strong weld. This form of welding creates heat by running the electric current through the tungsten electrode. Suitable for use in all kinds of applications, TIG is used commonly to weld stainless steel as well as copper, nickel, aluminium and magnesium.
Electroslag Welding
This is a single-pass efficient welding process generally used on non-ferrous thick materials. It is a complex technique which requires a lot of skill and is frequently used in the aerospace and maritime industries.
Gas Welding
This is a very old technique otherwise known as oxyacetylene welding. It may be old but remains in use today in tube and pipe welding.
Solid State Welding
This form of welding is produced by using temperatures that are below the materials’ melting point and requires no filler. Pressure, time and temperature each have a key role to play in joining the metals without melting them significantly.
If you want to give welding a try, be sure to brush up on important welding terminology. You can rest assured knowing that steel is the best choice when it comes to your welding projects, providing long-term, consistent performance. If you need quality steel that is fabricated to suit your unique needs, contact Steel Fabrication Services today. Our team of expert structural steel fabricators have the experience and knowledge to answer any of your questions and will ensure that you find the best solution to suit your needs. To contact us today, simply call, fax, email or drop by our Brookvale location.
