A Beginner's Guide to the Different Types of Welding
The world of welding can be confusing for someone who has not been specifically trained in it. However, it is a vital part of the work carried out on construction sites, industrial sites and manufacturing projects, so if you are new to the industry and want to orient yourself, or if you are a manager responsible for running and overseeing the work of welders, it is useful to get to know the basics so you can understand what is happening on your project.
At its very basic level, welding is just the joining of two parts of metal to each other using a high temperature. The heat melts both metals, causing them to fuse together. Different methods can be used to create this weld, some of which are outlined below. They will vary in the labour and equipment costs, and also in the quality and longevity of the final output. Safety should always be a top priority for those managing welders and those doing the welding, especially because high temperatures are involved and due to the risk of exposure to toxic fumes.
Spot welding
Spot welding uses electrical currents as a key part of the welding process. The name is derived from the spot through which the electrical current is forced, causing the metals to melt and form a weld. As it involves electricity, spot welding is able to rapidly build up and disseminate heat into the spot, making it less energy consuming than other types of welding. However, it is more difficult to use the thicker the metal becomes, as metal transfers heat so easily. This has led to it mostly being use within the automotive industry, so if you are working in a car plant, it is highly likely it is used on your projects.
Oxy welding
Typically used when there is not a reliable power supply available, for example at the very early stages of a construction site, and when cost is a seriously constraining factor, this method of welding uses oxygen to weld metals together. A fuel is mixed in with the oxygen in the torch. This is used as it quickly creates a high temperature so the weld can be done quickly. It is unlikely you will find this method of welding on jobs which need a high level of precision; however it is one of the simplest and cheapest types of welding.
Shielded metal arc welding
This is the most common type of welding you are likely to come across, and what many people imagine when they think of welding. It is effective on a huge range of metals, and welders use a metal stick to spread the molten welding material onto the two pieces being welded. It is typically used for repair work on projects, so if you need something fixed, a welder will be able to get the job done using this method.