Mankind had been fusing metals together for thousands of years using a range of methods, some of which have not changed for many years. Different metals have different properties and because of this, various welding methods have evolved over the years, and here are some of the more common welding methods used in industry today.
- MIG Welding – Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding involves creating an arc between the consumable wire electrode and the piece of metal to be worked upon. Originally developed for welding aluminium, MIG welding was used to weld steel as it is a much quicker welding process, and with developments in the 1950s and 1960s, MIG welding soon became the welding process of choice. If you need to carry out some welding, there is affordable welding equipment hire from online hire firms, where you can rent all the equipment you need.
- Arc Welding – Also known as stick welding, this type of welding is relatively easy to carry out, and is used for joining thicker pieces of metal. The use of a consumable stick as an electrode makes arc welding suitable for manufacture, construction and repairs, and this is the preferred welding type for many individuals and small businesses.
- TIG Welding – Tungsten Inert Gas welding is comparable to oxy-acetylene welding and requires a much higher level of expertise. The superior finish made TIG welding a favourite across a range of industries and it is widely used in the aerospace industry among others, to weld aluminium, steel, nickel and copper alloys, cobalt and titanium.
- Oxy-Acetylene Welding – This traditional form of welding has largely been superseded by TIG welding, mainly because the equipment used in oxy-acetylene welding is large and heavy. Oxy-acetylene torches are still used to cut steel and other metals, and is sometimes used to braze softer metals like copper and bronze.
- Plasma Arc Welding – This is a precision type of welding that is commonly used in the aerospace industry, and is similar in application to TIG welding. The welder must be highly skilled in order to achieve the very high standards that industries demand, and for many young people who are looking for a trade, welding is an ideal profession to enter.
- Fluxed Core Arc Welding – Due to the high speed and portability of the equipment, fluxed core arc welding is commonly used in commercial construction. The fluxed core contains powdered material that speeds up the welding process, and because of this, fluxed core welding is one of the most common types of welding.
If you find yourself needing a little welding at home or at your place of work, rather than having to invest in all the welding equipment, you can pop round to your nearest plant hire company, where you can rent the welding equipment for a few hours, which is really all you need. The hire company would have all the safety equipment and should you be unsure what type of welding you need to do, they can advise you on all aspects of welding.
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