Glossary Of Welding Terms | You Should Learn Being an Expert

Being a welder, you should know at least basic welding terms. But if you are new to welding and excited polish your welding skill then you are at the right place. Here is the glossary of basic welding terms,

Glossary of Basic Welding Terms

A

Actual throat

It is the shortest distance between the face of the fillet weld and the weld root.

Air arc cutting

It is an arc-cutting process in which metal is melted by the heat of a carbon arc before cutting.

Alloy

It is the mixture of two or more materials but one material must be a metal.

Amperage

It is the measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point in a conductor in a second. Current is the alternative name for amperage.

Annealing

This term is mostly used when you are dealing with non-ferrous metals. It is the continuous heating of metal at a certain temperature followed by the gradual cooling.

Arc

It is the physical gap between the base metal and the end of the electrode. This gap results in heat production due to resistance in the flow of current and arc rays.

Arc blow

The deviation of the electric arc from the normal path due to magnetic forces.

Arc length

The arc length is the distance between the weld puddle and the tip of the welding electrode.

Arc welding

The Arc welding is the fusion of base metals by heating the arc with the help of electricity with or without the use of filler material.

Autogenous

The weld without use of filler material

Argon

A Shielding gas

Automatic welding

In this, equipment are used to control the alignment of joints with the help of automatic sensing devices instead of manual adjusting of joint alignment.

AWS

American Welding Society

AWS D1.1

It is the Structural Steel Welding Code provided by American welding society.

Axis of a weld

The Axis of a weld is the line through the area of the weld perpendicular to a cross-section at its center of gravity.

B

Base metal

The metal which you weld, cut, or braze.

Backhand welding

It is the welding process in which the welding gun is directed opposite to the finished weld.

Backing ring

In this process, metal rings are placed inside a pipe before butt welding to make sure proper weld penetration and an inner smooth surface.

Backing weld

A backing weld is weld is a weld placed on the root side of a weld for proper control of penetration.

Backing

In this technique, the material is placed beyond the root opening to ensure the controlled penetration and shape of the penetration bead.

Bead

Bead is the appearance of a finished weld. It is the deposited filler material in and on the surface of the metal when the electrode is melted and fused into the base metal.

Bevel

The angular edge shape allows more penetration for a stronger weld.

Bevel cutting

It is the plasma arc-cutting process in which a tilted arc produces an angle on the edge of the parts being cut.

Bevel angle

The angle between the prepared edge of one piece and a plane that is perpendicular to the surface of that piece.

Bend test

A testing method where the finished weld is bent to a specified radius to judge the soundness and ductility of the weld.

Bond

A union of base metal and welding metal.

Blind joint

A joint configuration in which no portion is visible.

Blow hole

A deformity in the metal due to rapid cooling of hot metal when excessive gaseous content exists.

Blown up

What will you be if you want to cut or weld the container with the fumes? Never do this until it is new, cleaned and safety certified. Be cautious as the container may be explosive, flammable, or toxic.

Break test

A testing method in which a finished weld sample is broken and broken parts are examined for discontinuities.

Bridging

A defect that is due to poor penetration.

Brittleness

The property of a material in which cracks are developed when it is deformed slightly.

Braze welding

A welding method requires a filler material that is liquefied above 450ºC and lowers the solid state of base metal.

Busted out

Failing of the weld test due to weld defects.

Buckling

Any deformation due to the heat of the welding process.

Butt joint

The fabrication in which two metals joined in the same plane in such a way that the edges of one metal touch the edges of another metal.

Butt weld

The actual fabrication is a butt joint.

C

Carbon arc welding

A welding method in which metals are fused by an arc between the base metal and carbon electrode. In this welding, filler material and shielding gas may or not may be used.

Carbon steel

It is the steel that is made up by adding a controlled amount of carbon to pure iron.

Carbon electrode

A non-filler material electrode made up of carbon or graphite rod which may have copper or another coating frequently used in arc welding and cutting.

Carbide

It is the chemical combination of carbon with other metals.

Cast steel

The molten form of steel cooled and solidified in a mold.

Casting

It is the metallic form that is produced by pouring molten metal pieces into the mold.

Cathode

The scientific term for negative terminal.

Chain intermittent weld

The intermittent welding on both sides of the joint is in such a way that the welds on both sides are opposite to each other.

Chip test

A test in which metal is chipped off with a hammer and cold chisel. The resulting pattern is unique to different classes of ferrous metals. This test is used for the identification of metals.

Chipping

The cleaning of slag from weld bead with the help of a chipping hammer.

Cladding

The process is then applied to surfacing metals for improvement in corrosion, abrasion, and heat resistance.

Clearance

The gap between the adjoining surfaces.

Coating

A thin layer is present on the surface of the metal for protection against corrosion, temperature scaling, and abrasion.

Code

The written system of figures, numbers, symbols which are used to regulated welding industry.

Cold welding

The fabrication of metal under high pressure and there is no application of external heat.

Collet body

The part of the torch which acts as a gas distributor and houses the electrode. This part of the torch holds the nozzle of shielding gas.

Constant current welding machine

A type of welding machine which produces constant current although voltages may vary.

Constant voltage welding machine

A type of welding machine which produces a constant voltage when the current changes. For example, a typical MIG welding machine.

Consumable electrode

The electrode which is melted and became a part of the weld such as a MIG welding electrode.

Contamination

Any undesired substance which affects the integrity of the weld and results in weld defects.

Corner joint

The fusion of two base metals touching with each other at an angle of 90 degrees.

Crack

Any separation in the rigid material affects the integrity of the weld and metal and runs in different directions.

Crater

It is depression in face of the weld mostly this depression is formed at end of the base weld.

CWI

Certified welding instructor from American welding society.

Cylinder

A container used for storage for gas.

D

Depth of fusion

It is the depth of filler material that penetrates int base metals from the surface.

Deoxidizer

The substance is added to molten metal for the removal of either free or combined oxygen.

Deposited metal

The filler material that has been deposited during welding work.

Destructive test

A test in which pressure is applied to the sample until it fails. This test evaluates the discontinuity.

Direct current

The current flows in one direction without reversing its polarity as the alternating current does.

Down hand welding

The welding work in a flat position.

Drag

It is the distance between the point of entering and exit of the cutting oxygen steam.

Ductility

The bending of metal or staying permanently deformed without breaking.

Duty cycle

This is how long a machine runs in ten minutes before getting overheated.

E

Edge joint

The joint between the edges of parallel parts.

Effective throat

The minimum distance minus the convexity from the weld face to the root of the weld.

Elasticity

The property of metal to return to its original position when pressure is removed.

Electrode

The substance brings electricity to the point where the arc has to be formed. It may also act as filler material. It may be consumable or non-consumable.

Electrode holder

The device is used for holding of welding electrode.

Electrode skid

The sliding of welding electrode along the surface of weld work during projection welding or steam.

Embossment

The protrusion from the surface of base metals.

Etching

The procedure for repairing of metallic specimens and welding for micrographic and macrographic examination.

F

Face

The part of the weld bead between the toes.

Face reinforcement

The reinforcement of the weld at the side of the joint from which weld work has been done.

False indication

The indication in welding is due to incorrect weld processes such as excess contamination.

Filler material

The substance which has to be added for making weld.

Fillet weld

A triangular cross-sectional weld is made by the fusion of two surfaces that are approximately right angle to each other.

Fillet weld face

The top or surface of weld

Flaw

The discontinuity in the welding work exceeds the acceptable limit.

Flowability

The capability of molten filler material to spread over the surface of base metals.

Flux

It is a cleaning agent used to clean metals for welding, brazing, and soldering by dissolving oxides and releasing trapped gases.

Flux cored arc welding

This welding process fuses the metals with the help of an arc that melts and joins the metals with a consumable welding electrode.

Forge welding

The welding process in which metals are heated in a forge and fused them by applying pressure.

Fusion welding

Any type of welding process in which fusion is considered as part of the process.

G

Galvanized metal

These metals are covered with zinc to protect from rust formation. But zinc coating may form toxic fumes upon overheating.

Gas metal arc welding

A welding process that requires a continuously fed consumable welding electrode and shielding gas is most commonly known as MIG welding.

Gas tungsten arc welding

A welding process that requires a non-consumable welding electrode and shielding gas and commonly named TIG welding. The filler material may or not may be used.

Gas pocket

The cavity in the welding work due to trapped gases.

Globule

A droplet of molten material.

Groove weld

A weld is due to the deposition of filler material in a groove between two base metals that have to be joined.

Ground connection

The safety connection from the frame of the welding machine to the ground.

H

Hammer welding

A forge weld work

Heliarc welding

A weld work that requires two non-consumable welding electrodes to create an arc.

Hertz

It refers to the cycle per second, a unit for measurement of AC.

High carbon steel

The steel with carbon contents ranges from 1.0-2.0 %.

Hot quenching

The cooling of heated metals in a salt or molten material bath instead of a water bath.

I

Impact test

The estimation of energy required to deform a metal with the sudden load.

Inert gas

Those gases do not combine chemically with the base material such as argon and helium.

Intermittent weld

The joining of two base metals with a gap in the joint.

Inverter

The source of power enhances the frequency of the source’s incoming power source.

J

Jig

A template that is used to hold and position accurately during weld work.

Joint

A structure is made by the fusion of two or more metal pieces during weld work.

K

Kerf

The space from which a metal piece is removed by a cutting process.

Keyhole welding

The welding process in which heat is penetrated into work piece with a hole formation at the edges of weld work.

L

Lap joint

The joint formation between two overlapping metal pieces.

Laser beam welding

A welding process that uses laser beam energy for the fusion of metals.

Liquefaction

The process of changing gas into a liquid.

M

MIG welding

See Gas metal arc welding.

Multipass weld

When many welds are applied to the same weld project.

N

Non-destructive test

A test for checking for defects that do not destroy the welding work.

O

Outfit

All the welding equipment required to make the weld.

P

Parent metal

The base metal on which weld work is being done.

Peel test

A destructive test in which the lap joint is mechanically separated by peeling one part from another.

Peening

The mechanical work done by metals with the hammer blow to stretch the surface of cold metals.

Plastic welding

A welding procedure in which heated air is used to molten and fuse the plastic materials.

Plasma arc cutting

The cutting process of conductors with help of constricted arc melts a small area of the work piece.

Porosity

The occurrence of gas pocket in the weld bead.

Pulsing

The process of sequencing and controlling of current, frequency, and time frame of the welding arc.

Q

Quenching

The instant cooling of heated metal either with water or compressed air.

R

Rated load

The amperage and voltage that the power source is specifically designed to produce for a given duty cycle.

Rectifier

An electrical device is used to change the alternating current direct current.

Reducing gas

The gas makes the atmosphere oxygen by combining with it.

Robot

A computer-programmed device that completes a series of welding processes or other applications.

Robot controller

The computer or programmed devices direct the robot to specific a task.

Rods

It is a piece of coated metal wire which is used to generate an electric arc and helps in adherence of base materials. It is also named welding electrodes.

S

Scarfing

A process of removing welding defects by using an oxygen deseaming torch.

Seal weld

A weld to prevent leakage and obtain tightness.

Shielding gas

Gas is used to prevent the atmospheric contamination of the weld pool.

Spatter

The dissipation of droplets of molten metal over the surface near arc weld.

Surfacing

The precipitation of filler material on the metal surface to obtain desired properties.

T

Tackle weld

A temporary small weld is used to hold the parts of the weldment until the final weld is made.

Tension test

A test in which specimen is loaded in tension until failure occurs.

TIG welding

In TIG Welding, an electrode is formed between the base material and a non-consumable tungsten electrode. The gas is supplied by torch. This gas is used to shield electrodes and molten weld pools.

T joint

A joint is formed between two metals that are right angle to each other.

Torch

A device is used to control the transfer of current to the arc, the position of the electrode, and direct shielding gas flow.

Tungsten electrode

A non-filler electrode used in TIG welding.

U

Under bead crack

A crack within the heat-affected zone which is not extended to the surface of the base material.