Welding Terminology
Welding is a complex process that involves a lot of technical terminology. Understanding this terminology is essential for anyone looking to get into the welding profession. Here are some common welding terms and their meanings:
Base Metal
The base metal is the metal that is being welded. It is the material that the weld is joining together.
Weld Metal
The Weld Metal is the metal that is added to the joint during the welding process. It is melted and then solidifies to form the weld.
Welding Process
The Welding Processes is the method used to join two pieces of metal. There are many different welding processes, including MIG welding, TIG welding, and stick welding.
Welding Position
The Welding Position refers to the orientation of the weld joint in relation to the welder. There are four primary welding positions: flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
Welding Joint
The welding joint is the point where two pieces of metal are joined together. There are several types of welding joints, including butt joints, lap joints, and T-joints.
Welding Filler Metal
The welding filler metal is the metal that is added to the joint during the welding process to help fill any gaps or voids in the joint. It is also used to reinforce the joint and increase its strength.
Welding Electrode
The welding electrode is a metal rod or wire that is used to conduct electricity during the welding process. It is also used to deliver the welding filler metal to the joint.
Welding Shielding Gas
The welding shielding gas is a gas that is used to protect the weld from atmospheric contamination. It is typically used in MIG and TIG welding.
Welding Flux
The welding flux is a substance that is used to prevent atmospheric contamination of the weld. It is typically used in stick welding and flux-cored welding.
Welding Preheating
Welding preheating is the process of heating the base metal before the welding process begins. This is done to reduce the risk of cracking and improve the quality of the weld.
Welding Post-Heating
Welding post-heating is the process of heating the weld joint after the welding process is complete. This is done to reduce the risk of cracking and improve the quality of the weld.
Welding Inspection
Welding inspection is the process of examining the weld to ensure that it meets the required standards for strength and quality.
Welding Certification
Welding certification is a process in which a welder is certified as being capable of performing certain welding tasks to a certain level of quality. This certification is typically required for professional welders.
Arc Welding:
A type of welding that uses an electric arc to melt and join metals together. It is commonly used in construction and fabrication industries.
MIG Welding:
Also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), this welding process uses a continuous wire electrode and a shielding gas to join metals together.
TIG Welding:
Also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), this welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a shielding gas to join metals together.
Stick Welding:
Also known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), this welding process uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to join metals together.
Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW):
A type of welding that uses a tubular wire electrode with a flux core and a shielding gas to join metals together. It is commonly used in construction and shipbuilding industries.
Heat Input:
The amount of heat energy applied to the welding joint during the welding process, measured in joules per unit length.
Weld Bead:
The raised, melted metal that forms along the edge of the welding joint as the filler metal solidifies.
Weld Pool:
The molten metal that forms in the welding joint as the metal is melted and fused together during the welding process.
Welding Electrode:
The metal wire or rod that is used to carry the welding current and provide the filler metal to the welding joint.
Welding Current:
The flow of electrical current through the welding electrode and the metal being welded, which produces the heat necessary to melt and fuse the metal together.
Welding Helmets:
Protective gear worn by welders to shield their eyes and face from the bright light and heat generated during the welding process.
Welding Gloves:
Protective gloves worn by welders to shield their hands from heat, sparks, and molten metal during the welding process.
Welding Apron:
A protective garment worn by welders to protect their clothing and skin from heat, sparks, and molten metal during the welding process.
Welding Goggles:
Protective eyewear worn by welders to shield their eyes from the bright light and heat generated during the welding process.
Welding Voltage:
The amount of electrical potential between the welding electrode and the workpiece that affects the penetration and quality of the weld.
Welding Amperage:
The measure of the electrical current flowing through the welding electrode that determines the size and depth of the weld pool.
Welding Speed:
The rate at which the welder moves the welding electrode along the joint, affecting the width and appearance of the weld bead.
Welding Flux Density:
The concentration of flux material in a welding flux, affecting its effectiveness in protecting the weld from contamination and oxidation.
Welding Distortion:
The warping or deformation of the metal due to thermal expansion and contraction during welding, affecting the accuracy and integrity of the welded joint.
Welding Wire:
A metal wire used in MIG welding that serves as an electrode and is fed continuously through the welding gun.
Welding Groove:
A groove or channel cut into the base metal to prepare it for welding.
Welding Seam:
The joint where two or more pieces of metal are joined together by welding.
Welding Defect:
An imperfection or flaw in a weld that can affect its strength and durability.
Welding Positioner:
A device that holds the workpiece in the correct position for welding, allowing the welder to work more efficiently and accurately.
Welding Cracking:
The formation of cracks in the welded joint due to various factors such as high stresses, hydrogen embrittlement, and improper welding techniques.
Welding Distortion:
The deformation of the welded joint due to the thermal expansion and contraction during the welding process. It can cause dimensional inaccuracies and affect the fit of the welded parts.
Welding Pass:
A single welding operation that deposits a layer of weld metal on the joint.
Welding Clearance:
The distance between the two pieces of metal to be welded. It affects the penetration and quality of the welded joint.
Welding Backing:
A material that is placed behind the welding joint to support the molten metal and prevent it from falling through. It is commonly used in pipe welding and can be made of ceramic, copper, or steel.
Back Gouging:
The process of removing weld material from the opposite side of a joint to ensure proper penetration of the weld.
Fusion Welding:
A welding process that joins metals together by melting and fusing the base metal.
Non-Fusion Welding:
A welding process that joins metals together without melting and fusing the base metal. Examples include friction welding and ultrasonic welding.
Undercut:
A groove that forms on the surface of the base metal near the weld, caused by the weld bead not properly filling the joint.
Porosity:
The presence of small holes or cavities in the weld bead caused by gas bubbles becoming trapped during the welding process.
Welding Power Source:
The equipment used to generate the electrical current required for welding, which can include welding transformers, generators, and inverters.
Welding Code:
A set of standards and guidelines for welding practices and procedures, established by organizations such as the American Welding Society (AWS).
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS):
A document that specifies the welding procedures to be used for a particular welding project, including details such as joint design, welding position, and welding parameters.
Welding Operator Qualification:
The process of certifying that a welder has the necessary skills and knowledge to perform welding work to the required standards.
Filler Metal Composition:
The composition of the filler metal used in welding, which can affect the strength, corrosion resistance, and other properties of the welded joint.
Welding Symbols:
Graphic symbols used on engineering drawings to specify welding processes, joint types, and other welding details.
Laser Welding:
A welding process that uses a highly focused laser beam to join two metal pieces together. It is commonly used in industries that require high precision and speed.
Plasma Arc Welding:
A welding process that uses a high-velocity plasma arc to melt and join metals together. It is commonly used in aerospace and automotive industries.
Electron Beam Welding:
A welding process that uses a beam of high-velocity electrons to melt and join metals together. It is commonly used in the aerospace and medical industries.
Spot Welding:
A type of resistance welding that joins two metal pieces together by applying pressure and heat to a small area. It is commonly used in the automotive and manufacturing industries.
Gas Welding:
A type of welding that uses a flame to heat and join metals together. It is commonly used in the construction and repair industries.
Submerged Arc Welding:
A welding process that uses a granular flux to shield the welding joint and molten metal from air and other contaminants. It is commonly used in heavy fabrication industries.
Ultrasonic Welding:
A welding process that uses high-frequency mechanical vibrations to join two plastic pieces together. It is commonly used in the electronics and medical industries.
Resistance Welding:
A welding process that joins two metal pieces together by applying pressure and heat through an electrical current. It is commonly used in the automotive and construction industries.
Brazing:
A process of joining two or more metals by heating them to a temperature below their melting point and then adding a filler metal that melts at a lower temperature than the base metal. It is commonly used for joining dissimilar metals and in the plumbing and HVAC industries.
Soldering:
A process of joining two or more metals by heating them to a temperature below their melting point and then adding a filler metal that melts at an even lower temperature than the base metal. It is commonly used in electronics, jewelry making, and plumbing industries.
Inert Gas Welding:
A group of welding processes that use an inert gas, such as argon or helium, to shield the welding joint from contamination and oxidation during the welding process. Examples include TIG welding and MIG welding.
Direct Energy Deposition (DED):
A 3D printing and welding process that uses a laser or electron beam to melt metal powder or wire and deposit it onto a substrate to create a part or repair a component.
Hot Gas Welding:
A welding process that uses a hot gas flame to melt and join thermoplastic materials together. It is commonly used in the fabrication of plastic tanks, pipes, and sheets.
Welding Booth:
An enclosed workspace used for welding that provides protection to the welder and prevents others from being exposed to the hazards of welding. It typically has ventilation systems to remove fumes and gases generated during welding.
Inert Gas:
A gas that does not react with other substances, used in welding to shield the welding area from atmospheric contamination.
Metal Inert Gas (MIG):
A type of welding process that uses a wire electrode and inert gas to fuse two or more pieces of metal together.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW):
A welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a shielding gas to join metals together.
Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT):
The process of heating the welded metal to a high temperature after welding to relieve residual stress and improve the properties of the weld joint.
Flashback:
A potentially dangerous situation that occurs when a flame burns back into the torch or gas supply, potentially causing an explosion.
Conclusion
Understanding welding terminology is essential for anyone looking to become a professional welder. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should provide a good starting point for anyone looking to learn more about welding terminology.