You can either pass the welding current through a consumable (wire or rod) electrode or use a non-consumable rod electrode of carbon or tungsten. Metal arc uses a consumable electro to melt the filler metal and the metal. To protect the molten steel from oxidation, some arc welding processes can also create a slag layer to support the weld in its off position. The non-consumable process of arc welding produces the weld by melting only the base metal. This non-consumable electrode serves only to support the beam. In non-melting processes, a filler metal can be manually or mechanically added to the molten pool.
Manual arc welding (MAW), is used to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This combination uses a metal transfer arc (metal arc) between the cover electrodes and the weldpool. It consists of a core of solid wire around which is extruded a concentrated flux mixture of silicate binder, powdered materials, and fluorides, carbonates and oxides. The coating is used to provide steam for expulsion and arc stabiliser. It also displaces metal, slag, and protects, supports, and insulates the metal being welded.
Submerged Arc Welding is a highly productive general welding process that forms an arc between a continuous applied bare metal electrode (solid, flux-cored or wire) and the workpiece. Heat metal to do metal welding. Keep the welding arc under a heap of grainsy flux particles. As you solder, add more flux to the electrodes. Flux helps stabilize the arc, and protects the molten metal from environmental contamination.
Plasma arc welding (PAW) is a method of welding that creates a constricted arc between a nonconsumable electrode (transfer arc), or between an electrode (non-transfer arc). PAW is similar to GTAW, as it is an technological improvement on the GTAW process. PAW uses an inert gas for almost all applications. It is also suitable for robotic and automated welding. PAW, although it is classified as a gas-shielded arc process is still a high-power density process because it can join materials using both keyhole welding and traditional molten pool Fusion welding methods.
Gas metal arc welding (GMAW). This involves using an electric arc, a consumable electrode and shield gas from the outside. 1). The GMAW process is capable of welding many ferrous and nonferrous metals. It offers a variety of metal transfer methods and electrode sizes. These metals can be any thickness, from 0.020 inches thin to any length pipe. If the variables are correctly set on the welder controls, GMAW may require less skill than SMAW and GTAW when used properly.
Cored wire arc welding. This process uses the same power source, wire feeder, and welding torch that is used in GMAW. FCAW also includes tubular electrodes with cores that contain alloying and flux elements. - FCAW S shielded FCAW (FCAW–S) The arc consumes the flux within the electrode and destroys its shielding gas. The FCAW-S torch is different from the GMAW torch because it doesn't have a gas shielded nozzle FCAW. This makes it a different process.
Gas-electric vertical welding is a process that uses flux-cored and solid electrodes to mechanize arc welding. This process can use shielding gas from either an external source or the flux-cored steel wire. EGW can be used to shield steel as well as titanium and aluminum alloys. EGW is used in the repair and manufacture of ship hulls, storage tanks and structural components, although their use is limited.
Stretch stud welding (SW). SW is a common method of arc welding that connects many devices (usually fasteners). The arc between the two can be filled with metal with or without shielding gas. Partially shielding may be provided by the ceramic or graphite seal around the stud. When the surfaces are sufficiently heated, pressure is applied. It can also be used as a productivity tool.