What is Welding Method : Different Types and Their Symbols

The first welding process was implemented at the end of the 19th century namely forge welding, used by blacksmiths for welding the steel and iron by hammering otherwise heating. The welding process has been developed in the 20th century for consistent as well as low-cost joining methods. Day by day, there are different welding methods were developed like secured metal arc welding. The most popular welding method mainly include gas metal arc, submerged arc, flux-cored arc & electro-slag. Nowadays, Robot welding can be a general place in industrial locations, & an investigator continues in developing novel welding methods as well as gaining a better understanding of the quality of welding.

What is Welding Method?

The welding process is a fabrication otherwise sculptural method, used to joint materials like metals otherwise thermoplastics with the help of high heat to soften the metal parts jointly & letting them cool. The welding process is separate from Low-temperature based metal joining methods like soldering as well as brazing, which does not soften the metal.

Additionally, to softening the metal’s base, a filler material can be normally attached to the joint for making a molten material pool that chills to form a joint that depends on weld configuration. This can be powerful than the main material. Force may also be used with heat in conjunction for generating a weld. This process also needs a type of shield for guarding the filler metals otherwise softened metals from rusty.
There are several energy sources are available for welding process which includes a gas flame, an electric arc, an electron beam, friction, a laser, & ultrasound. In industrial, the welding process may be used in several dissimilar environments, comprising within under water, open air, & in external space. The welding process is hazardous and some precautions are mandatory for avoiding burns, electric shock, vision harm, and breathing of toxic gases.

Welding Symbols

The communication between the welder as well as the designer can be done using the welding symbols. Most of the drawings for a welding project can be heavily sprinkled with the symbols. An arrow is the backbone of a welding symbol, a leader line, a tail, a horizontal reference line, and a wild symbol. Whenever the welding on engineering drawing is specified then a set of welding symbols are used for explaining the welding information like wild type, size, and processing as well as finishing information.

Types of Welding Methods

There are different types of welding methods have been developed based on the demands, materials as well as conditions. Every welding process gives a different need as well as has its own advantages, disadvantages, and applications. Here the welding types and definition are discussed below.

• SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
• GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)
• GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding)
• FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding)
• SAW (Submerged Arc Welding)

1). SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)

The short term of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding is SMAW otherwise stick welding. The term stick means the electrode, and it is covered within a protectant flux. An electrode grip holds the stick within place & an electric arc can be formed using DC (direct current) otherwise AC (alternating current).

The work section, as well as the electrode, softens to form a molten metal pool that chills to shape a joint. As the welding is placed, the electrode disintegrates flux coating, generates gas vapors that provide like a shielding gas & offering a layer of slag, which will create a protected environment for guarding the join area against pollution.

2). GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)

The short term of the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding is GTAW, otherwise TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas). This welding process utilizes a tungsten electrode for generating the weld. Not like Shielded Metal Arc Welding, the electrode cannot be used throughout the welding process. As an alternative, the joint area can be sheltered from atmospheric pollution by a motionless gas, frequently Argon otherwise Helium gas.

3). GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding)

The short-term of the Gas Metal Arc Welding is GMA otherwise Metal inert gas welding. This welding utilizes a consumable cable that can be fed throughout a welding gun.

Inert protecting gas like Argon otherwise a blend of Argon as well as Carbon Dioxide can also be sprinkled over the welding pond for guarding it against pollution. In industrial areas, MIG welding is the most commonly used method due to its adaptability as well as relative easiness. But, it is not perfect to use outdoors otherwise in other places with high air unpredictability.

4). FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding)

The short term of the Flux-Cored Arc Welding is FCAW, otherwise FCAW. This kind of welding is much related to Metal inert gas; but, its feature like the utilization of a special tubular cable is filled by flux. The flux can be adequate by itself for guarding the welding pond against pollution otherwise a protecting gas can also be used, based on the material of the filler as well as other situations.

5). SAW (Submerged Arc Welding)

The short term of the Submerged Arc Welding is SAW. This type of welding utilizes a usable electrode that can be fed by design. It also utilizes a quality cover of granular fusible flux, comprising of numerous compounds with lime, silica, calcium fluoride, as well as manganese oxide among others. The cover of granular flux can be total sinks to the welding region for shielding it.

Other Industrial Welding Processes

Other types of welding methods used in industrial areas are discussed below.

DB (Diffusion bonding)

The diffusion bonding parts are pushed jointly at a prominent temperature beneath the softening point for a phase of time.

EXW (Explosion welding)

The explosion (blast) welding parts to be bonded are driven jointly at a particular angle through an unstable charge as well as fuse jointly from the friction of the collision.

USW (Ultrasonic welding)

This method uses horizontal oscillation of single division against the additional for expanding adequate frictional heat for fusion to take place.

ESW (Electro slag) & EGW (Electro gas)

In these methods, a melted pool of weld metal enclosed with copper shoes, which is used to construct vertical butt connects within the heavy plate.

Thus, this is all about types of welding procedures, and it is one kind of method used to join the two or more parts lastingly by an appropriate application like heat or pressure. Frequently a filler material can be included to make easy coalescence. Welding method is mainly used within metal parts & their alloys. Here is a question for you, what are the types of welding joints?