Types of Welding

Welding is perhaps the most common form of hot work performed in a general industry setting. Some of the most commonly used welding methods include:

• Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) - Also known as "stick welding", this process uses an electrode that has flux, the protectant for the puddle, around it. The electrode holder holds the electrode as it slowly melts away. Slag protects the weld puddle from atmospheric contamination.
• Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) - Also known as TIG (tungsten, inert gas), this process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area is protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas such as Argon or Helium.
• Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) - Commonly termed MIG (metal, inert gas), this process uses a wire feeding gun that feeds wire at an adjustable speed and flows an argon-based shielding gas or a mix of argon and carbon dioxide CO2) over the weld puddle to protect it from atmospheric contamination.
• Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) - This process is almost identical to MIG welding, except it uses a special tubular wire filled with flux; it can be used with or without shielding gas, depending on the filler.
• Submerged arc welding (SAW) - This process uses an automatically fed consumable electrode and a blanket of granular fusible flux. The molten weld and the arc zone are protected from atmospheric contamination by being "submerged" under the flux blanket.
• Electroslag welding (ESW) - This is a highly productive, single pass welding process for thicker materials between 1 inch (25 mm) and 12 inches (300 mm) in a vertical or close to vertical position.

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