Arc Welding Basics
Arc welding is a process for joining pieces of metal. In this process, the high temperature produced by an electric arc near the surface of the metal causes the metal in the pieces to melt, and upon cooling, to fuse together. This course discusses the basic components and the three major types of arc welding. This course also illustrates different joint types, proper welding techniques, common weld defects, and finally the PPE that should be worn while arc welding.
Request a demoCourse Details
Learning Objectives
- Describe the basic components of the arc welding process
- List the three major types of arc welding
- Describe why shielding is important to arc welding
- Describe the different parts of a weld
- List the major joint types
- Describe proper welding technique
- Describe some common weld defects
- List the major arc welding hazards and precautions
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video, MobileReady |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
What are the three most common types of arc welding?
The three most common types of arc welding are shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), and gas metal arc welding (GMAW).
What are the most common types of joints one can make with arc welding?
The main joints, or weldments, that one can do with arc welding include a butt joint, corner joint, edge joint, lap joint, and tee joint.
What is the purpose of preparing a joint before welding?
Like painting, welding requires a surface that is clean and free of contaminants. Despite the heat and apparent intensity of the arc, any material that will evolve gases when subjected to the heat of welding, such as oil, grease, water, paint, rust, or scale, must be removed or the strength of the joint will suffer.
What can happen if a weld is concentrated in one spot for too long?
Concentrated welding in one spot can cause distortion by localized overheating and residual stresses. Keep the electrode moving along the joint to make a smooth weld and evenly distribute the heat.
What are some of the main hazards of arc welding?
The main hazards of arc welding include heat, fire, arc rays, fumes, and electric shock. Along with protecting yourself, also remember to protect your coworkers from those hazards by using screens to limit the visual area and always give warning before striking an arc.
Sample Video Transcript
When various pieces of metal are joined together, the resulting unit is called a weldment. The parts to be joined may be of a wide variety of forms and shapes. The five basic types of welding joints include: • Butt joint – A joint between the edges of pieces lying in the same plane • Corner joint – A joint between two parts which are placed at approximately right angles to each other • Edge joint – A joint at the edges of two or more pieces whose flat sides are roughly parallel to each other • Lap joint – A joint between two pieces which overlap each other • Tee joint – A joint between two members which are approximately at right angles to each other in the form of a “T” There are many variations on each of these basic types.
Course Applies To
Demos + Pricing
Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.
