Arc welding is the process by which welding current flows through consumable electrodes (e.g.metal wires or rods, carbon or tungsten non-consumable electrodes). During welding, the consumable electrode melts the filler metal together with the metal. Some arc welding processes may also produce slag coverings to protect the molten metal from oxidation or welding at different locations. Non-expendable arc welding produces a weld by melting the base metal, making this non-expendable electrode used only to maintain the arc. This process can be manually or mechanically filled metal into the melt weld pool if necessary. As well as we know, there are several types of methods for Arc welding, here today we will introduce them by items for you.

SMAW

Shielded metal arc welding(SMAW) or Manual arc welding (MAW) is used to weld ferrous and some nonferrous metals. It combines a metal arc (an arc in which metals are transferred) between the covering electrode and the weld pool. It consists of a solid core surrounded by a concentric flux mixture of silicate binders and powdered materials such as fluoride, carbonate, oxide, metallic alloy-elements and cellulose. The cladding can be used as an arc stabilizer and a source of steam to displace air, as well as to displace metal and slag to protect, support and isolate the heat-welded metal.

SAW

SAW， short for Submerged arc welding, is a general welding process in which the metal is welded by an arc heat formed between a continuously fed bare metal electrode (solid or cored wire) and the workpiece. This welding method has a high rate of productivity and keeps the welding arc submerged under a pile of granular flux particles. As welding progresses, additional flux is added to the electrode to help stabilize the arc and protect the molten metal from the surrounding environment.

PAW

Plasma arc welding (PAW), is the welding method of which contraction arc produced between the consumable electrode and welding pool (arc) or the electrode and nozzle (not transferred arc) contracting. PAW is developed on the basis of gas tungsten arc welding GTAW. The PAW and GTAW are similar but the former has higher power and consistency because it combines keyhole welding techniques and traditional welding methods(relating to the molten pool). PAW uses inert gas in almost all applications and is suitable for automated welding.

GMAW

Gas shielded metal arc welding (GMAW). It uses electric arcs and consumable electrodes with an externally added protective gas and can be used to weld many ferrous and certain non-ferrous metals. There are a wide range of metal transfer options, electrode sizes and a variety of protective or mixed gases, ranging from 0.020 “thin-wall section to any required plate or tube section thickness. GMAW is generally more convenient to operate than SMAW or GTAW if the variables are set correctly on the welder’s controls.

FCAW

Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). The welding process uses the same type of power supply, wire feeder and welding gun with the GMAW. However, it combines a tubular electrode with a core containing flux and alloying elements. FCAW-S shielding destroys its shielding gas because the arc consumes the flux components inside the electrode. Fcaw-S differs from GMAW in that it does not shield FCAW with nozzle gas, which is another form of the process.

EGW

Electro-gas welding(EGW) is an important vertical welding method, which uses flux-cored wire or solid electrode to weld vertical or nearly vertical joints with CO2 gas protection. During this process, the shielding gas may be generated from the outside or from the cored wire, or at the same time. EGW can be used steel welding, also for titanium and aluminum alloys, has been used in the manufacture and maintenance of storage tanks, pressure vessels, ships and structural components.

SW

SW, short for stud welding, is a general arc welding process, also known as drawn arc stud welding. The stud ignites an arc within a ceramic or graphite support ring to be heated and then pressurized for welding. It can be protected by slag or gas, but not protected. Studs are usually tapered and coated with arc primer for connecting equipment (usually fasteners) to base metals. Test results showed that SW with shielding gas has been a good application in rail vehicles for stainless steel and have obtained good welded joint.