Arc welding uses an electrical arc to create enough heat to melt the material and fuse two workpieces together. A grounding wire is fixed to the material, whilst a welding power supply creates the electrical arc between an electrode (either consumable or non-consumable) and the workpiece by discharging either an AC or DC current. The heat of this electrical arc causes the materials to melt and fuse together accordingly.
Arc welding is great for providing narrow, precision welds and can be further classified according to whether a consumable or non-consumable electrode is used. For instance, MIG welding uses a consumable electrode (which melts during the welding process and forms part of the weld bond), whilst TIG welding utilises a non-consumable electrode.
Arc welding can be used on a wide range of metals such as mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, brass, copper and cast iron.
Used to produce
Narrow, precision weld bonds between two workpieces.
Materials
Arc welding can be used on a wide range of metals such as mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, brass, copper and cast iron.
Advantages
A wide range of materials can be used.
Great for creating narrow, precision weld bonds.
Metal does not require any cleaning/preparation before welding.
Disadvantages
Process requires a high level of skill, meaning that it can be very expensive.
May not be suitable for very thin materials.
