What is Welding?

What is Welding?

Welding is a type of joining or filling process in which two or more metallic materials with similar or close melting temperatures are joined together using heat, pressure, or both, with or without the use of additional welding filler metals with close melting temperatures.

Welding is a production method used to join materials together, often with metals or thermoplastics. In this method, the area of the workpieces to be welded is usually melted and filler material is added to this area, then the joint is cooled to allow it to solidify. In some cases, the welding process is performed under pressure or with the use of heat. This method differs from soldering and brazing, in which the joint is formed at lower melting temperatures and the workpieces do not melt.

What is Used in Welding Applications?

Various energy sources can be used in welding, such as gas flame, electric arc, laser, electron beam, friction, and ultrasonic waves. In industrial processes, welding can be performed in various environments, including open air, underwater, and in space. However, it carries various hazards regardless of where it is performed. Precautions must be taken for flames, electric shock, toxic fumes, and ultraviolet radiation for occupational safety.

How Has Welding Changed From Past to Present?

Until the end of the 19th century, it was known that metals were joined by heating and forging, a method used only by blacksmiths. Electric arc welding and oxy-fuel welding were the first methods developed at the end of the century. Resistance welding followed these. Welding technology rapidly developed into reliable and inexpensive methods to meet increasing demand in the early 20th century. After the wars, various techniques were developed, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic methods. These developments continued in the second half of the century with the discovery of laser beam welding and electron beam welding, and this development continues today.

Robot welding has gained a prominent place in industry, and research and development efforts continue to develop new methods and improve quality and features while reducing costs.