Thursday 26 December 2024

The Process Of Welding Explained

We are all familiar with the term “welding”, yet very few people actually understand the process. Welding has been around for a few centuries, and was discovered from an ongoing demand for metal in various forms. Fusing two pieces of metal together is possible, and if done correctly, the weld will be as strong, or stronger than the material itself, and with many ground breaking developments, the welding industry has managed to keep pace with global demands. If you are not sure how a weld is produced, here is some basic information on welding techniques.

Fusion

By heating two separate pieces of metal to a high enough temperature, and then adding a flux, or third party, which is a material that melts onto both surfaces, and when it hardens, it is stronger than the base metals it has fused together. The filler material is typically delivered by hand, and this is a very skilled profession, and one that is always in big demand. Initially, only metals were welded, then technology allowed certain plastics to also be fused together in this way, and modern machinery produces plastic cases and device holders across a range of industries.

Coded Welding

The term “coded welder” refers to a person that is certified to weld with a particular method, and it is very much a guaranteed standard of work, which is required in many industries. If your business happens to be in Western Australia, and you are looking for professional coded welding in Perth, there are online companies that can handle almost anything. A coded welder will work with his or her specific technique, and there are levels within levels, with only certain welders allowed to do specialist work. If you are still at school and are interested in welding as a career, it wouldn’t be a bad choice, as welding will always play a major role in modern development, wherever you are in the world. Becoming certified at specific disciplines enables a welder to be more selective about the work they undertake, and the more skill involved, the higher the hourly rate.

Gas Welding

This is generally outdated, but was extensively used, due to its suitability for welding thick metal sheeting together. The operator would have two tanks, one containing oxygen, and the other acetylene, and with the right balance, the fine jet produces a very high temperature flame that is directional, and by adding the flux, which is in stick form, this is laid over the joint and when it cools, it has fused the two pieces together.

Electrode Welding

Also known as arc welding, it is different to gas welding in as much as the heat is generated by passing an electric current through an electrode, which is attached near to the surfaces to be welded. The electrode is a flux covered stick, and this forms the basis for the weld.

The fusing of two or more materials can be achieved in a number of ways, and with modern solutions, many of the devices we use today have been welded together, and this industry will continue to supply other industries with necessary services for many years to come.