Welding basic terms

Basic Welding Terms

  • Arc Voltage – the voltage that runs along the welding arc.
  • Base Metal – the metal material that will be welded or cut.
  • Bond – the joining of welding metal and base metal.

  • Cutting Torch – tool used in gas cutting to control the gases that are used for preheating and cutting metal.

  • Goggles – safety equipment worn to protect the welder’s eyes from harmful radiation while welding and cutting.
  • Helmet – protection equipment worn to protect the welder’s face and neck.
  • Liquidus – the lowest temperature where metal becomes liquid
  • Melting Point – the temperature that needs to be reached to allow metal to begin to liquefy.
  • Melting Range – the range of temperatures between solidus and liquidus.

  • Solidus – the highest temperature where a metal remains completely solid.

  • Tempering – process of reheating hardened steel below the lowest critical temperature and then allowing it to cool to make the steel stronger.
  • Weld – a point where metals have been fused together by heating the materials to a suitable temperature. Filler metals or pressure may be used to accomplish the weld.
  • Welder Certification – document certifying that the welder has made his welds according to the standards prescribed.
  • Welding Torch – tool used for gas welding to control the flow of gases used.

Welding Materials

  • Acetone – flammable and unstable liquid that is used to dissolve and stabilize acetylene.
  • Acetylene – a highly combustible gas that is made of carbon and hydrogen that is used in gas welding.
  • Alloy – a mixture of one or more elements with at least one being a metal.
  • Electrode – various materials that are used to conduct the welding current between the electrode holder and the welding arc.

  • Ferrite – a pure form of iron that exists below the lowest critical temperature.

  • Flux – cleaner used to clean metals to be welded, soldered or brazed. It also dissolves rust and releases any trapped gases that may be in the metal.
  • Nonferrous – metals that do not contain any iron. Examples of nonferrous metals include aluminum, bronze, copper, lead and titanium.
  • Welding Rod – filler metal that comes in a rod or wire form and is used in brazing and gas welding or in arc welding where the electrode does not produce filler metal.