Not all welders were made equally-qualified. Welding is a growing in-demand industry that can be a career for you. But welding is also a skill that you can use for day to day things such as creating garden crafts or décor. You can even use different types of welding techniques to enhance your current job, particularly in the agriculture or auto industries. Welding has infinite possibilities depending on the type of welding you are looking to learn.
Most Popular Types Of Welding
Welding is the way that parts of the metal are permanently fused. Almost everything around you was either welded or created by some piece of equipment that was welded. Do you know about stainless steel coffee pots? That was welded. Even your car? That was welded, too. And while your work boots and utility gloves probably were not, you can safely bet they were designed by machines that were.
There are various types of fabrication welding, each used for a particular type of metal or seam. Every method uses different tools, devices and techniques. Moreover, while there is a large diversity of welding methods to choose from, there are 4 that are most commonly used.
1. SMAW: Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Shielded metal arc welding, often referred to as stick welding, is a very widespread and popular method used by a welder in his day to day routine.. It is commonly used in construction, steel fabrication, pipeline work and rebuilding of heavy equipment. It is a type of arc welding, in which electric current flows between the electrode, or “welding rod” and the substrate.
When stick welding, the welder operates with a consumable electrode; that is, the welding rod melts, developing the weld. The electrodes have a flux core, which is a chemical cleanser. As the metal in the rod melts, the flux avoids oxidation which can weaken the weld.
2. GMAW: Gas Metal Arc Welding
This kind of welding—also called MIG and also called metal inert gas welding —also uses a consumable electrode. However, in metal inert gas welding, the electrode is a thick wire that is constantly fed via the welding gun. MIG welding machines are built to accommodate different sizes and gauges of these welding wires.
Rather than using flux to prohibit oxidation and other metal-weakening agents, metal inert gas welders use an inert gas, which is also run with the help of a welding gun. This gas could be CO² or a mix of Carbon Dioxide and Argon. Metal inert gas welding may also result in some fumes more than stick welding.
This kind of welding is simple to learn and can be utilized on a wide range of metals. With the easy access of portable metal inert gas welders, Gas Metal Arc Welding has become much simpler to bring to the setting of the work needed.
3. FCAW: Flux Cored Arc Welding
Flux-cored Arc welding has all the qualities of MIG welding, with the efficiency of Stick welding. Like with MIG welding, workers operating Flux Cored Arc Welding have a continuously-used wire running through the gun. Nevertheless, this wire has a flux core, just like the electrodes used in stick welding. This abolishes the need for the addition of inert gas that metal inert gas welding requires.
This kind of welding repair is chosen for its speed and increased electrode efficiency. There are numerous different kinds of electrodes available for this type of welding. Most of these are either self-shielded or come in an array of categories. Before beginning any Flux Cored Arc Welding project, make sure you evaluate the different types of FCAW electrodes to make sure that you have the correct one for your project.
4. GTAW: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
This kind of welding is known by various common names—TIG Welding, Heliarc Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Distinct from the other types of welding mentioned so far, this kind does not use a consumable electrode. Rather, the welder uses an external rod to develop the molten metal needed to forge the weld.
TIG welding is known for its great, high-quality welds, though it does need a higher level of mastery than other categories of welding. The welds made from TIG welding are also seen to be very clean and attractive to the eye. GTAW does need an inert gas shield which, for this type of welding, is generally argon or an argon mixture.
The Tools of the Trade
For any manual welding, you will require certain equipment to get the job done. You will require a welding machine; this produces the high electrical needs to develop the arc that you ultimately weld with. You will require some type of electrode—either consumable or non. If you aren’t working with flux-cored electrodes, or if a shielding gas is needed, you will be required to supply an inert gas as well.
Doesn’t matter which kind of welding career you select to perform, be confident you have the proper personal protective tool at all times. This indicates wearing quality welders’ gloves and boots, flame-resistant clothes and most of all the correct welding shield.
