A Guide to the Different Types of Welding Processes for Pros in Welding Technician Training
February 15, 2022
For aspiring welding professionals, there are endless opportunities to apply your trade. Without welding, many industries like the construction industry, aviation, automotive and more would not exist in the way that they do today. Buildings, appliances, vehicles, fences and space shuttles would have never come to life without the art of welding metals.
At the NATS, you’ll get hands-on and theoretical training in the field of welding, using modern equipment for different welding processes. By understanding some of the most common welding processes, you can launch a successful and skilled career. Read on to discover the different types of welding processes worth knowing.
Know The Simplest Form of Welding After Your Welding Technician Training
Stick Welding, or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), is the simplest form of welding. This form of welding produces a constant current electric arc, using a power source. The current flows through a flux in the coated welding electrode. This coating mechanism ensures that the weld zone is not exposed to air while the rod is melting. You’ll realize after welding technician training, how cheap stick welding is and how compatible it is with most metals out there. This will allow you to work with stick welding in many industries, for shipbuilding, pipelines, constructions, and much more.
MIG Welding Is the Way to Go for D.I.Y Projects
MIG Welding, which is short for Gas Metal Arc Welding, is one easy type of welding that forms an electric arc between a consumable MIG wire and the piece you are welding. After you train at a welding college like NATS, you’ll be prepared to perform this type of MIG welding. You’ll see how MIG welding creates heat and causes the materials you’re working on to melt and join, forming a piece of molten metal. The heat that occurs during this welding process is covered by a shielding gas, which protects the welding from any contamination. MIG welding is also the method of choice for those who don’t want to spend too much on welding equipment.
Gain Experience and Start TIG Welding
TIG Welding, which is the short form for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, delivers electric current to the weld section, using an arc welding process that uses a tungsten electrode. This type of welding has a non-consumable electrode. Welding also requires the use of Argon, a type of shielding gas that protects the weld metal from any contamination. This form of welding is not for everyone. In order to perform TIG welding without any challenges, you need to have proper training and gain experience in the field. TIG Welding is generally used to weld thin areas of aluminum, magnesium, copper alloys and stainless steel.
Finally, the Flux Cored Arc Welding
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) is an automatic or semi-automatic welding process. FCAW requires a consumable to be continuously fed a tubular electrode that contains a flux. It also requires a constant power supply and an external shielding gas to be supplied to protect the weld metal from any contamination. While most flux-cored wires can run without gas, some cannot. As a professional welder, you’ll have to refer to the manufacturer’s datasheet to know which welding wire to use. Flux Cored Arc Welding can be used for shipbuilding, heavy fabrications, constructing, welding and earthmoving.
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