The Basic Facts of Welding

Welding is a practical and useful process especially in industrial work. It is a process of fabricating or sculpting metals or thermoplastic materials, joining them into two by producing coalescence. But before you get your nose bleeding, let us start by saying that this article is intended for people who are into welding, who do not know the basics of the process, and those anxious in having something repaired through welding. Let's get started.

What is the underlying concept behind welding?

As written in the first paragraph, coalescence is to be produced to join metals or other materials together. Basically, coalescence is just combining pieces of metal into one unit mass. This is done through liquefying first the banding location of the materials, coalesce or merge the liquids together, and allowing it to solidify to form once continuous solid material from its original pieces.

What is its difference with soldering?

People are sometimes confused with the two procedures. In theory and in reality, you cannot say that soldering is the same as welding, or vice versa. Soldering uses a filler material that has a lower melting point than the work pieces it will bond. Rather than melting the materials - which is the process done in welding - soldering involves melting the filler to bond materials together. Sometimes, a filler material is also used in welding, but it is added after liquefying the materials. The filler will then be the one to cool the coalescence so as to make the joint stronger and more stable.

What are the sources of energy used in this fabrication process?

Any kind of energy source can be used as long as it can produce heat and melt metals and other metalloid matter. The most popularly-used things for welding are gas flames, laser beams, electron beams, electric arc, friction, and ultrasound. These sources make welding a hazardous process to undertake, making it necessary to impart precautions in the workplace. Welding can cause burns, electric shock, and other intense damage due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and poisonous fumes and gases. Welding can even cause vision damage if PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) are not worn every time the process is undergoing.

Are there any unusual conditions when it comes to welding?

Yes, there are. Welding is not only performed in repair shops and factories with a controlled working environment; some are even undertaken underwater (for tanks submerged in water), in open air (electrical posts), and in vacuum environments (the outer space for this matter). This is another reason why precautions and preparations are needed before starting with the welding process.