Welding is a method of joining two pieces of metal into one solid piece. To do this, the heat of an electric arc or the flame of oxy-acetylene is concentrated on the area of the two pieces of metal to be joined. The metal melts and, while the edges are still molten, additional melted metal is added. This molten mass then cools and solidifies into one solid piece.
Oxyfuel gas welding involves the joining of two metals by melting or fusing their adjoining surfaces. Joining the two metals involves combustion with oxygen as a heating medium and acetylene as a fuel source.
Stick electrodes are used for welding mild steel, alloy steels, stainless steels, aluminum and cast iron. Electrodes are also available for the rebuilding of worn parts on construction and farm equipment, and for hardfacing.
Oxyfuel gas cutting process involves preheating the base metal to a bright cherry red, then introducing a stream of cutting oxygen which will ignite and burn the metal. Possible fuel sources include propane and acetylene.
Plasma cutting is a process where compressed air is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning the gas to plasma. The plasma gets hot enough to cut through molten metal and remaining compressed air will blow the molten metal from the cut.
Innershield® electrodes are available for welding mild steel. In effect, an Innershield® electrode is a stick electrode turned inside out and made into a continuous wire. All shielding, slagging and deoxidizing materials are in the core of the tubular wire. No external shielding gas or flux is required.
ADVANTAGES OF FLUX-CORED (INNERSHIELD®) WIRE WELDING
- Can weld outside without tenting in winds up to 30 mph
- Deeper penetration vs. MIG - thicker materials may be welded
- No shielding gases needed
- May weld in all positions
- Very user friendly
- Portability (no cylinder to cart)
MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas. This welding process uses a solid wire with an externally supplied shielding gas to protect the weld puddle. There are many types of gas available. The most common gas mixtures that a nonindustrial or retail customer would need are:
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METAL
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SHIELDING GAS
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Steel
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75% Argon/25% CO˛ - No slag, least amount of spatter and minimal cleanup after welding. Best gas for thin materials such as auto body panels.
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Aluminum
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100% Argon
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Stainless Steel
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90% Helium/8% Argon/2% CO˛
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NOTE: Shielding gases are available in high pressure cylinders from industrial gas suppliers in your local area.
ADVANTAGES OF MIG WIRE WELDING
- Less smoke produced - better process to use indoors
- Better for thin gauge material vs. Innershield® - less penetration
- Less spatter produced, cleaner welds
- No slag to remove
- Better weld appearance
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