JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Continued from Page 1
Arc Length -- Refers to the gap between the end of the electrode and where the arc makes contact with the surface of the metal.
Backup Strip -- A section of metal that is butted-up to an open gap between two workpieces. Often times, backup strips are used behind a gap to avoid blowing through the metal. The backup strip can either be welded into place, or a metal with a high melting temperature can be held behind the gap while welding.
Brazing -- A process in which a filler metal that is above 850°F but lower than the melting temperature of the parent metal, is used to join pieces together.
Duty Cycle -- The number of minutes out of a 10-minute period in which an arc welder can operate the maximum-rated output. Electrode -- A coated metal wire that has the same composition as the metal that is being welded Flash Burn -- This is when the radiation produced by the ultraviolet rays from the welding arc burn your skin or your eyes. This is commonly called “welder's flash”. Flash burn will have similar effects to sunburn on your skin, and will feel like you have sand in your eyes within 24 hours of being exposed. ALWAYS wear your welding helmet and protective clothing when you are welding, or near someone who is! Flux -- The coating on arc-welding rods and flux-cored welding wire. It is consumed in the arc to produce a shielding gas. Ground Lead -- The conductor cable between the welder and the metal you are welding. Hard Facing -- Welding electrode or wire that is designed to add surface to an area rather than join two pieces of metal together. This is often times used on high-wear areas to allow for the surface to last longer when in constant contact with another surface. Commonly used on the buckets of excavating machines. Rated Output -- The amps and voltage the power source in the welder will produce for a given duty-cycle period. Shielding Gas -- Protective gas used to prevent contaminants from the atmosphere against getting in the weld pool. Normally this is a mixed gas or CO2. Slag -- A layer of flux soot that protects the weld's contaminants while the weld is cooling (or solidifying). Slag must be removed after the weld cools. Spatter -- Metal particles that are thrown while welding. Spatter often sticks to, and cools on, the workpiece and must be removed. Stick Electrode -- A stick of metal filler that has had the electrode covered by the necessary chemical or metallic chemicals to shield the weld from the atmosphere when welding. The stick also completes the electrical circuit and creates the arc necessary to weld with a stick welder. Tungsten -- A metallic element with an extremely high melting point used for manufacturing TIG electrodes. Weld Pool -- This is the molten metal that is seen when welding metal together. Wire Feed Speed -- The amount of filler metal fed into a weld. The higher the wire feed speeds, the higher the amperage.
The most common types of welds or joints are listed below. These are usually the best to choose from when welding 2 pieces of metal together.
Butt Weld
Lap Joint
Corner Joint
Edge Joint
Plug Weld
Seam Weld
Stitch Weld
T-Joint
