Glossary of welding terms
- Arc Welding: A welding process that uses an electric arc to create heat to melt and join metals.
- Base Metal: The metal to be welded, cut or brazed.
- Bead: A visible weld deposit that results from the welding process.
- Brazing: A process where a filler metal is heated above its melting point and flows into the joint between two metal pieces.
- Butt Joint: A joint between two metal pieces that are joined at their ends.
- Electrode: A metal wire or rod used to conduct electricity and carry the welding current.
- Filler Metal: A metal that is added during the welding process to help form the joint.
- Flux: A substance used to clean the base metal and protect the weld from oxidation and contamination.
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): A welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert gas to create the arc.
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): A welding process that uses a consumable wire electrode and an inert gas to create the arc.
- Joint: The area where two or more metal pieces are joined together.
- MIG Welding: A type of GMAW that uses a wire feed system to continuously feed a wire electrode into the weld.
- Stick Welding: A type of arc welding that uses a stick-shaped electrode.
- TIG Welding: Another name for GTAW.
- Weld: The joint created by fusing two or more metal pieces together.
- Welding: The process of joining two or more metal pieces together by melting and fusing them.
- Abrasive blasting: A process of cleaning metal surfaces by blasting them with abrasive material such as sand or shot.
- AC/DC welding: A welding process that uses alternating or direct current to create the welding arc.
- Alloy: A mixture of two or more metals that are combined to improve the properties of the metal.
- Arc length: The distance between the end of the electrode and the surface of the metal being welded.
- Arc time: The time that the welding arc is actually on during the welding process.
- Backhand welding: A welding technique where the welder moves the electrode away from the weld direction.
- Bead: A visible weld deposit that results from the welding process.
- Bevel: A sloping edge or angle on a metal surface that allows for better penetration during welding.
- Blowhole: A void or cavity in the weld metal caused by trapped gas.
- Braze welding: A process where a filler metal is heated above its melting point and flows into the joint between two metal pieces.
- Cladding: A process of applying a thin layer of metal to a substrate for protection or decoration.
- Consumable electrode: A welding electrode that is consumed during the welding process.
- Current: The flow of electricity through a welding circuit.
- Welding Defect: An imperfection in the weld, such as a crack, void or incomplete fusion.
- Direct current electrode positive (DCEP): A type of current used in welding where the electrode is connected to the positive terminal of the power source.
- Direct current electrode negative (DCEN): A type of current used in welding where the electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the power source.
- Distortion: The bending or warping of metal during the welding process due to uneven heating.
- Electrode: A metal wire or rod used to conduct electricity and carry the welding current.
- Groove: A channel or recess cut into a metal surface to allow for welding.
- Heat-affected zone (HAZ): The area of metal surrounding the weld that is affected by the heat of the welding process.
- Inert gas: A gas that does not react with the metal being welded and is used to shield the weld from contamination.
- Interpass temperature: The temperature of the metal between passes during multi-pass welding.
- Joint: The area where two or more metal pieces are joined together.
- Melting point: The temperature at which a metal will change from a solid to a liquid state.
- Non-destructive testing (NDT): Testing methods used to evaluate the quality of a weld without damaging the metal.
- Overlap: A joint where one metal piece overlaps another.
- Plasma cutting: A process that uses a plasma arc to cut through metal.
- Porosity: Small holes or voids in the weld caused by trapped gas.
- Preheat: The process of heating the metal before welding to reduce distortion and prevent cracking.
- Pulse welding: A type of welding that uses a pulsing current to control the heat input and improve weld quality.
- Reverse polarity: A type of electrode configuration where the electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the power source.
- Root: The bottom of a weld joint where the two metal pieces are closest together.
- Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW): A welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to create the arc.
- Slag: The non-metallic material that forms on the surface of the weld and is removed after welding.
- Solidification: The process of a liquid metal cooling and solidifying into a solid.
- Spatter: Small droplets of metal that are ejected from the weld during the welding process.
- Spot welding: A type of resistance welding where two metal pieces are joined by a series of small spot welds.
- Stainless steel: A type of steel that contains chromium and other alloying elements to improve corrosion resistance.
- Tack welding: A temporary welding technique used to hold metal pieces together before the final weld.
- Tensile strength: The maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking.
- Torch: The tool used to create the welding flame or arc.
- Welding position: The orientation of the joint in relation to the welder, such as flat, horizontal, vertical or overhead.
- Welding symbol: A graphic symbol used to indicate the type of weld, dimensions and other welding specifications on a blueprint.
- Weldment: The assembled product or structure that is created by welding individual metal pieces together.
- Wire feed speed: The speed at which the wire electrode is fed into the welding arc.
- Work angle: The angle at which the electrode is held in relation to the metal being welded.
- Workpiece: The metal piece being welded.
- Arc blow: A welding defect caused by magnetic forces that push the welding arc away from its intended path.
- Arc length: The distance between the electrode and the metal being welded.
- Backing strip: A piece of metal placed behind the joint being welded to provide support and prevent burn-through.
- Carbon arc welding: A welding process that uses a carbon electrode to create the arc.
- Deposition rate: The amount of metal that is deposited during the welding process.
- Dual shield welding: A type of welding that uses both a flux core and an external shielding gas.
- Electrode extension: The distance between the electrode tip and the metal being welded.
- Electrode holder: The device used to hold and position the electrode during the welding process.
- Electroslag welding: A welding process that uses a consumable electrode to create a molten slag that protects the weld pool.
- Fillet weld: A type of weld that joins two metal pieces at an angle, creating a triangular cross-section.
- Inverter welding: A type of welding that uses an inverter power supply to control the welding current.
- Oxy-fuel welding: A welding process that uses a flame produced by mixing oxygen and a fuel gas to melt the metal.
- Plasma arc welding: A welding process that uses a plasma arc to melt the metal and create the weld.
- Post-weld heat treatment: A process used to relieve stress and improve the properties of the weld after it has been completed.
- Puddle: The molten metal that is created by the heat of the welding process.
- Resistance welding: A welding process that uses pressure and electrical resistance to join metal pieces.
- Root pass: The first pass of welding that is used to create the initial bond between the metal pieces.
- Shielding gas: A gas used to protect the weld from contamination and provide shielding from the air.
