This category of articles contains some of the commonly welded metals in the industry, their properties, methods of testings to determine their properties, and welding consumables used to weld these base metals with various welding processes.
Nickel is a widely sought after metal due to its’ excellent properties. However, its’ usage is normally restricted due to its’ high cost. There are limited reserves of this metal, limited to few geographical areas. This article discusses a few aspects of welding nickel and its’ alloys. Nickel and its’ alloys are used where corrosion … Read more
When molten metal is exposed to air, it reacts with oxygen and nitrogen present in the air. As a result, metal oxides form which are detrimental to the integrity and strength of the weld. Hence, it is required to protect the molten metal from this oxidation. In covered electrodes, this protection is provided by the … Read more
Carbon steel is the most extensively used metal in fabrication industry. This article discusses some hands-on advice on how to weld carbon steel. Three short sections focusing on welding of low carbon steels, medium carbon steels and high carbon steels have been included. This advice is equally useful for a welder as well as a … Read more
Low carbon steel is the most common type of steel found in the industry. Welding low carbon steel does not pose any great difficulties to an experienced welder. It is considered an easy task, low carbon steel is the most weldable of all. However, there are a few basics that must always be borne in … Read more
This article discusses about welding of medium carbon steel. It offers a few pieces of advice for obtaining a quality weld. Introduction The carbon content in medium carbon steel ranges from 0.30 to 0.55 percent. After welding, these steels are heat treated to relieve the residual stresses. Medium carbon steel is fabricated in the bar … Read more
High carbon steels are those with a carbon content exceeding 0.55 percent. These are very difficult to weld because they are prone to cracking which is the most usual problem in carbon steels. Special measures are required to be incorporated in the welding procedure in order to avoid a hard microstructure that is brittle, and does … Read more
Aluminum is a very sought after material due to its many desirable properties. Some of these properties are: lightweight, excellent strength to weight ratio, easy machinability, formability, and weldability. Although pure aluminium has limited usability, it has vast usage when it is alloyed with few alloys. Fabrication using aluminium involves welding. And welding aluminum requires … Read more
The question of Stainless steel vs Aluminum often arises when considering components for a number of applications. Welding stainless steel is comparatively easier, however quality welds can be obtained with aluminum too if one understands its’ behavior. Fatigue Strength and Life Stainless steel has 5-10 times the fatigue strength (resistance to bending & vibration) of aluminum pipe. … Read more
Tungsten Electrodes Tungsten Electrodes Non-consumable tungsten electrodes for GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, generally are of several types. Tungsten electrodes types and their typical application can be identified by color-coded end marks as follows. Pure Tungsten: Green 2% Ceriated : Gray 2% Thoriated: Red… Tungsten Electrode Selection Tungsten Electrode … Read more
Arc Welding Electrodes. When molten metal is exposed to air, it absorbs oxygen and nitrogen, and becomes brittle or is otherwise adversely affected. A slag cover is needed to protect molten or solidifying weld metal from the atmosphere. This cover can be obtained from the electrode coating, which protects the metal from damage, stabilizes the … Read more