Welding is one of the most important processes in the industry, which allows the joining of metal elements. There are many welding methods, each characterized by different features and applications. In this article, we will look at the most popular types of welding and describe their advantages and disadvantages.
What is the 135 welding method?
The 135 welding method, also known as the MAG welding method, involves the use of an electric arc between the welding wire and the surface being welded. In this process, the welding wire and shielding gas are supplied for welding from external sources. This method is particularly effective in welding stainless steel and aluminum.
What are the advantages of welding using method 135?
- Good quality of the weld
- The process is easy to master
- Quick welding time
However, to achieve the best quality of the weld, it is necessary to accurately set the equipment and choose the appropriate welding parameters, such as current and voltage.
What does the TIG welding method involve?
The TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding method is a technique that uses a flameless electric arc and a tungsten electrode. The main advantage of this welding method is the ability to precisely control the temperature. This is particularly important when welding thin elements or delicate materials, such as aluminum or copper. TIG welding uses an inert gas, which protects the welded material from the destructive effects of oxygen and nitrogen. However, this method requires good precision and experience from the welder, as it is not an easy technique to master.
Application of the TIG method
The TIG welding method is used in various fields, such as:
- Automotive industry - for welding aluminum in car bodies.
- Aerospace industry - for welding magnesium and aluminum alloys in aircraft structures.
- Chemical industry - for welding pipes and containers sensitive to environmental impact.
Furthermore, the TIG method is also used for welding structural elements in the shipbuilding industry and for the production of furniture fittings made of aluminum and stainless steel.
How does the 111 welding method work?
The 111 welding method is one of the oldest welding methods, which is still used in some areas of the industry. In this welding technique, an electrode with a metal powder core is used. Moreover, welding with the 111 electrode requires special knowledge and skills, as this process is very sensitive to the environment.
What is the 111 welding method used for?
The welding electrode 111 consists of a core made of metal powder and a shield that protects the welding joint from the environment. This electrode is exceptionally sensitive to the water content in the air, therefore it requires special precautions during welding. Welding with the 111 electrode is difficult, but thanks to its flexibility, it allows for the joining of practically any type of material, including:
- steel,
- aluminum,
- copper,
- brass.
How does 111 welding proceed?
The 111 electrode welding process involves melting the electrode and the substrate using an electric arc. During welding, the electrode gradually melts, producing a steel weld. To ensure a durable and strong weld, the welder must have the skills to control the temperature and welding time. This process requires a lot of skill and experience, but it allows for very durable and strong connections.
What are the advantages of the 111 welding method?
The 111 welding method is used in many industrial sectors, including car manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction machinery, electrical equipment and many others. Its advantages certainly include:
- Flexibility.
- Durable and resilient joints.
Unfortunately, it also has disadvantages such as difficulty in process operation and the obligatory provision of appropriate working conditions.
What is the 141 welding method?
The 141 welding method, also known as tungsten electrode welding in an argon shield, is a gas welding method that involves melting a tungsten electrode and the base material using a high-temperature electric arc. The argon shield prevents the base material from reacting with air components, allowing for a high-quality weld free from metallic contaminants.
Application of Method 141
The 141 method is primarily used for welding stainless steel and light metal alloys such as aluminum. It is particularly useful for welding thin and small elements, as it allows for precise and controlled welding. It is most commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where a very clean weld and minimal metallic contamination are required.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the 141 method?
The advantages of this method are high weld quality, precise welding execution, and the ability to use it for welding various materials. The 141 method also allows for controlled heat delivery, which minimizes deformation of the welded materials.
The drawbacks of this method are the costs, as it requires specialized equipment and materials. Moreover, this process is time-consuming and requires special skills from the operator.
What is the 136 welding method?
The 136 welding method is another welding technique that is gaining popularity. However, we must remember that this is not a technique for beginners. Nevertheless, if someone already has some welding experience, they can try their hand at 136.
How does the 136 welding method work?
Welding by method 136 is carried out in three basic positions:
- P - is welding the top edge of the element.
- PF - is vertical welding from top to bottom.
- PB - involves welding from bottom to top.
The choice of position depends on the shape and size of the welded element. The diameter of the electrode should be matched to the thickness of the welded element, usually electrodes with a diameter from 2 to 5 mm are used. The welding current depends on the thickness of the element, and the speed of the electrode movement depends on the efficiency, but in any case, a test should be conducted before starting welding.
What are the advantages of method 136?
- Good mechanical properties of the weld.
- Possibility of welding in various positions.
- Speed and efficiency.
What are the disadvantages of method 136?
- Need for good quality of the welded item.
- Precision and accuracy required.
- High welding temperature promotes deformation of elements.
What is welding method 138?
The welding method 138 is considered one of the most durable welding techniques. Compared to other welding methods, 138 can be used for welding large and thick elements. In this technique, the electrode is made of additional metal, which is embedded in the base material. The 138 method is most often used for joining stainless steel, as it provides a very good connection between materials.
The welding method 138 is also used in the chemical and petrochemical industry. Due to its durability, weld joints created using this technique can withstand a large amount of pressure and temperature changes.
In addition to durability, the above method also offers high resistance to corrosion. Interestingly - comparing it to other methods - technique 138 creates a welding connection without additional material providing corrosion resistance. Unfortunately, the process itself is complicated and requires many years of experience to master it precisely.
MIG MAG Method
The MIG MAG method is one of the most popular welding methods used in the industry today. It is an arc welding technique that involves heating and melting the material to be welded, and then joining it with other elements using a welding wire, which is powered by electric current.
What are the advantages of the MIG MAG method?
- This is a fast and effective welding method that allows for time and money savings.
- It can be used for welding various materials, such as steel, aluminum, copper, and many others.
- It ensures high quality of the weld and sufficient strength to withstand bending and stretching.
- It is easy to use, which allows for quick training of employees to use it.
These advantages make the MIG MAG method often used in mass production, construction, automotive industry and many other fields.
How does the 121 welding method work?
Welding method 121 is a technique characterized by the fact that the weld is performed in a protective shield, and the filler material is made of electrode wires. It is used where high-quality welding is required, e.g. in the production of valves, pipes, pressure tanks. Welding 121 uses alternating current at a low frequency (about 50 Hz), which increases the progress of the welding process and its stability. During welding, the electrode wire is gradually immersed in the melting flux at the joint level, which allows for a high-quality connection. It is worth emphasizing that the mentioned technique requires from the welder precise skills in handling the power supply and welding equipment. Good mastery of this welding method allows for effective welding work and achieving high-quality joints.
Its drawback is the high cost of the equipment, which is a significant factor when choosing a welding method for a specific application.
What is the LF welding method?
The LF welding method, also known as gas shielded welding, is one of the latest welding methods. Despite its youth, it has already gained recognition among specialists from various industries. It is a method that involves welding materials in a gas shield, which provides the appropriate conditions for making a durable, robust and safe connection.
What are the advantages of LF welding?
- allows welding of metals of various thicknesses and shapes, while maintaining their properties,
- ensures low material consumption,
- guarantees the ability to weld in any position,
- allows for a smooth joint surface.
The LF welding method also means safety. Thanks to the use of a gas shield, which provides the appropriate atmosphere around the welding site, the risk of explosion or fire is reduced. This, in turn, translates into greater work safety, both for the welder and the entire plant.
Earth Arc Welding Method
The arc welding method, also known as electric welding or arc welding, is one of the oldest ways of joining metal elements. The name comes from the phenomenon of creating an electric arc between the electrode and the welded material. Arc welding is used to join various types of steel, copper, and aluminum with a thickness from 1 to 50 mm. This technique is relatively simple, but it requires experience and precision in setting the position of the electrode and the welding speed.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of earth arc welding?
The advantages of earth arc welding include:
- Low cost of equipment and materials.
- Possibility of welding different types of steel.
- Ease of use and maintenance.
Nevertheless, earth arc welding also has some disadvantages. This process:
- Requires experience and precision.
- Generates a lot of smoke and gases.
- Can cause deformation of the welded material.
Despite these drawbacks, arc welding is still a popular and widely used method of joining metal elements.
Resistance welding method
Resistance welding is one of the oldest and simplest welding techniques. It involves joining elements by heating them at the point of connection using electric current. In this process, metal elements are clamped between two electrodes consisting of a movable and a stationary part. The current flows through the electrodes, heating the material to the melting point. As a result, the material melts and two elements are fused together. This technique is most often used for joining thin sheets, both with each other and with thicker elements. Currently, it is one of the most commonly used methods in the automotive, electrical and furniture industries.
What is the method of plasma welding?
The plasma welding method belongs to the group of gas welding. It is based on the use of plasma, which is created as a result of ionization of the protective gas, which is used to flood the welded surface. Plasma is a gas, whose ions and electrons are in the state of gaseous plasma, having properties similar to liquid metal.
What is plasma welding used for?
The plasma welding process is primarily used for welding thick materials, such as:
- steel sheets,
- aluminum,
- bronze,
- copper.
It is also used in welding irregularly shaped elements that are not easy to join using other techniques. In the plasma welding process, a high-intensity direct current is used, which results in the creation of high-temperature plasma, reaching about 23,000 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the method requires the use of special high-performance and reliable equipment and tools.
What gases are used in plasma welding?
Various types of shielding gases are used in the plasma welding process, such as:
- argon,
- helium,
- hydrogen,
- nitrogen
Each of them is selected depending on the type of material being welded and the application.
Summary
Welding is a process used to join materials. There are many different welding methods, each with its special application and specifics. In this article, we have presented several popular welding methods, including the 135 welding method, TIG, 111, 141, 136, 138, MIG MAG, 121, LF, earth arc, resistance, plasma, and coated electrode. Undoubtedly - each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the appropriate one depends on the conditions in which the welding is to be performed, as well as on the materials to be joined. Therefore, it is important to guide not only by costs but also by the quality and safety of work when choosing a welding method. When choosing the right welding method, it is worth seeking the advice of a specialist who will help choose the most suitable technique and also ensure safe and professional service.