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Arc Welding Basics
One of the most popular and common types of
welding in use today is arc welding. Yet the average layman walking the
street has little understanding of this welding process other seeing
the blinding light flashing from a construction job site they may
walking past at rush hour. Welding is basically just a fusion process
for joining metals. The metals are simply melted together by intense
heat and fuse as one piece. If done correctly, welding makes the
joining of two pieces of metal with the same strength as single solid
piece. A welding joint is superior to gluing because through the
welding process, the metals are actually melted together instead using
the bonding properties of glue to hold them together.
The key concept in welding is a heat source is needed in order to
fuse the metal together. There are several methods of welding and arc
welding is one of the most popular. The term arc welding comes from the
fact that an electrical arc is created to produce intense heat. This
arc is formed between the metal being worked on and an electrode
connected to the arc welder. The electrode rod is moved along the joint
and is melted by the electrical arc. The rod has two purposes. One is
to help produce the arc and the other is it makes a filler material as
it is melted.
At its heart, arc welding is about creating an electrical circuit.
An arc welder needs an electrical power source that produces either AC
or DC current. The metal piece you are attempting to weld becomes part
of the electrical circuit by attaching a cable from the arc welder to
metal. The other hot cable is attached to electrode that the welder is
holding. An electrical arc is created between the metal work piece and
the electrode when the electrode is held close to the metal. Now there
is a complete electrical circuit between the arc welder and the metal.
This process creates some pretty amazing temperatures. The tip of the
arc can reach temperatures in excess of 6500º F. Now there is enough
heat to fuse the metal pieces together and create a strong bond. To
ignite the arc, the electrode must be pressed against the metal and
then pulled away.
Besides creating heat, the arc produces a very bright light. This
light is hazardous to the welder and those around the welding job site.
You should not look directly into the arc without proper eye
protection. However, the visible light is not the only danger. The arc
gives of infrared and ultraviolet light that is invisible to the naked
eye. This is why welders wear auto darkening welding helmets. These
helmets will automatically darken when the arc is struck to shield the
welders eyes from the bright visible and the lens filter is designed to
keep out infrared and ultraviolet at all times whether the lens is
darkened or not. Welders also put up welding blankets or shields to
protect other people in the work area that may not have proper eye
protection.
Despite these hazards arc welding is a safe and reliable method for
fusing metal together and with some practice anyone can become
competent enough for basic welding.
Tags: Learn Welding Learn Welding Arc Welding Basics intense heat electrical circuit
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