Types of welding

Welding is a process of joining similar and dissimilar metals or other material

by application of heat with or without application of pressure and addition of
filler material. It is used as permanent fasteners. Welding is essential process
of every manufacturing industries. In fact, the future of any new metal may
depend on how far it would lend itself to fabrication by welding.

The weldability has been defined as the capacity of being welded into
inseparable joints having specified properties such as definite weld strength
proper structure. The weldability of any metal depends on five major factors.
These are melting point, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, surface
condition, and change in microstructure.

Types of welding:

Basically welding may be classified into three types.

1. Plastic welding:

In plastic welding or pressure welding process, the pieces of metal to be joined

are heated to a plastic state and then forced together by external pressure.
These welding are also known as liquid-solid welding process. This procedure is
used in forge welding and resistance welding.

2. Fusion welding:

In the fusion welding or no pressure welding process, the material at the joint
is heated to a molten state and allowed to solidify. These welding are also
known as liquid state welding process. This includes gas welding, arc
welding, thermite welding etc.

3. Cold welding:
In this welding process, the joints are produced without application of heat,
but by applying pressure which results diffusion or inter-surface molecular
fusion of the parts to be joined. It is also known as solid state welding process.
This process is mainly used for welding nonferrous sheet metal, particularly
aluminum and its alloys. This includes ultrasonic welding, friction
welding, Explosive welding etc.

4 Main Welding Processes:

2. Gas Welding:

The gas welding is done by burning of combustible gas with air or oxygen in a
concentrated flame of high temperature. As with other welding methods, the
purpose of the flame is to heat and melt the parent metal and filler rod of a
joint. It can weld most common materials
3. Gas Metal arc welding (MIG):

This welding is also known as metal inert gas welding. In this type of welding a
metal rod is used as one electrode, while the work being welded is used as
another electrode. It is a gas shielded metal arc welding which uses the high
heat of an electric arc between a continuously fed, consumable electrode wire
and the material to be welded. Metal is transferred through protected arc
column to the work.
In this process the wire is fed continuously from a reel through a gun to
constant surface imparts a current upon the wire. In this welding the welding
area is flooded with a gas which will not combine with the metal. The rate of
flow gas is sufficient to keep the oxygen of the air away from the hot metal
surface while welding is being done.

4. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG):

This welding is also known as tungsten inert gas welding is similar to the MIG in
that is uses the gases for shielding. This arc welding process uses the intense
heat of an electric arc between a no consumable tungsten electrode and the
material to be welded. In this process the electrode is not consumable during
welding process and gas is used to protect the weld area form atmospheric
air.