What are the 5 types of Welding Processes?

Welding is a fascinating process dating back to 1904 when the coated electrode was developed. It has evolved greatly since then and a lot of new processes have emerged in order to make the tedious task of welding easy.

In this article, we will cover the types of welding processes with the aim to improve your welding skills.

First, know what are welding processes-

What is a Welding Process?

A manufacturing process that enables the fusion of two or more parts together by applying heat and pressure on the object. In the majority, the welding process is used for application on a variety of metals and various thermoplastics. 

The welding processes are frequently used in numerous industries like automotive, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and many more. Nowadays, it is also being widely used to create artwork by many artists across the globe. 

The welding process has various types and we have mentioned 5 of them below. 

How many types of Welding processes are there?

There are 5 types of welding processes that are commonly and widely used in the industries with the relevant welding works. Here are the 5 types of welding processes explained in detail. 

MIG Welding - Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

MIG refers to “Metal Inert Gas”. The kind of welding process that can be commonly used in households and at a factory too. The metal target for this kind of welding is generally soft and stainless steel, maybe even aluminum.

To join two metals together, a solid wire electrode reaches through a welding gun to infuse into the other metal through heat. A protective gas is released for the welding gun that prevents contamination of the weld pool.

Benefit: The arc time is longer with rapid welding.

Atomic Hydrogen Welding (AHW)

Being a superior kind, this welding process tends to use hydrogen and welds using an electric arc amongst two tungsten electrodes. The existence of hydrogen in the process makes the shielding atmosphere. A proper arc and a controlled amount of heat shall be released to bring welding efficiency.

Benefit: Fastest and protective welding in the presence of Hydrogen.

Stick Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Stick welding, also known as Shielded metal arc welding is a process that welds using manual force through flux coated electrodes with a metal rod at the center.

The arc between the base metals and the electrode is formed by the heat released through AC or DC current. This process demands basic tools and equipment and high mobility contributes a lot to fieldwork. 

Benefit: Stick welding is highly versatile and portable.

Read More: Different Types of Tungsten Electrodes

Flux Welding - Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

To amalgamate the metal in the joint area, heat generated from the DC electric arc is used in this process known as flux welding. The arc is formed between a constantly fed consumable filler wire and the target object, melting both of them in close proximity.

The welding area is enveloped by a gas that helps to protect the molten pool from the elements. The materials it works best on include a range of alloys, stainless steel, and plain carbon, etc.  

Benefit: Ideal for general repairs, shipbuilding, and other types of manufacturing.

Spot Welding or Resistance Welding

Also known as electrical spot welding, this is the oldest form of welding. It is a proven method for efficient welding when it comes to merging more than two metal sheets. Maximum heat, electrical current, and pressure are applied to the metal sheets in this process, which eliminates resistance and leads to the fusion of the objects.

Benefit: Economical, efficient, and the easiest method of welding.

Welding Processes

There are more welding processes that are advanced and provide efficient welding. Some use electrical flux while some use hydrogen for shielding the weld pool. The work of welding is all the same yet the process depends upon the usability and the industry.