ARC WELDING

ELECTRIC ARC WELDING

The welding in which the electric arc is produced
to give heat for the purpose of joining two
surfaces is called electric arc welding.

The joining by fusing of two or more pieces of

metal together by using the heat produced
from an electric arc .
 How an arc is formed?
• The arc is like a flame of
intense heat that is
generated as the
electrical current passes
through a highly
resistant air gap.
ELECTRIC ARC WELDING
 Arc Welding
• It is a fusion welding processes which uses an
electric arc to produce the heat required for
melting the metal.
• The welder creates an electric arc that melts the base metals
and filler metal (consumable) together so that they all fuse
into one solid piece of metal
 Arc Welding
• Many things around us are welded …
– Pipelines that bring fresh water
– Towers that carry electricity to houses
– Cars and buses that take people where they need to go
• Arc welding continues to be used extensively in the construction of
steel structures and in industrial fabrication.
• The process is used primarily to weld iron and steels (including
stainless steel) but aluminium, nickel and copper alloys can also be
welded with this method.
• It dominates other welding processes in the maintenance and repair
industry, and though flux-cored arc welding is growing in popularity
• Is popular because it can be used in the field without
complicated equipment and gases
 Arc Welding
• It is a manual arc welding process that uses a
consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the weld.
• An electric current, in the form of either
alternating current or direct current from a
welding power supply, is used to form an electric arc
between the electrode and the metals to be joined.
• As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode
disintegrates, giving off vapors that serve as a
shielding gas and providing a layer of slag, both of which
protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination.
 Arc Welding
• Arc welding is a process that melts and joins metals by heating
them with an arc established between a sticklike covered
electrode and the metals.
• The core wire conducts the electric current to the arc and
provides filler metal for the joint.
• The electrode holder is essentially a metal clamp with an
electrically insulated outside shell for the welder to hold safely.
• The heat of the arc melts the core wire and the flux covering at
the electrode tip into metal droplets.
• Molten metal in the weld pool solidifies into the weld metal
while the lighter molten flux floats on the top surface and
solidifies as a slag layer.
Arc Welding
 Arc Welding
• Also known as “stick welding”
• Uses an arc between a covered electrode
and a workpiece
• Shielding is obtained from decomposition
of the electrode cover
• Pressure is not used
• Filler metal is obtained from the electrode
 Principle of Arc
• A suitable gap is kept between the work and
electrode
• A high current is passed through the circuit.
• The electric energy is converted into heat
energy, producing a temperature of 3000°C to
4000°C.
• This heat melts the edges to be welded and
molten pool is formed.
• On solidification the welding joint is obtained
 Arc Welding
• Process:
– Intense heat at the arc melts the tip of the electrode
– Tiny drops of metal enter the arc stream and are deposited
on the parent metal
– As molten metal is deposited, a slag forms over the bead
which serves as an insulation against air contaminants
during cooling
– After a weld ‘pass’ is allowed the cool, the oxide layer is
removed by a chipping hammer and then cleaned with a
wirebrush before the next pass.
 Arc Welding
• Because of the versatility of the process and
the simplicity of its equipment and operation,
shielded metal arc welding is one of the
world's most popular welding processes.
 Basics of Arc Welding
• The arc is struck between the electrode
and the metal.
• It then heats the metal to the melting
point.
• The electrode is then removed, breaking
the arc between the electrode and the
metal. This allows the molten metal to
“freeze” or solidify.
Arc Welding
Arc Welding
Arc Welding
 Basic Steps of Arc Welding
• Prepare the base materials: remove paint and
rust
• Choose the right welding process
• Choose the right filler material
• Assess and comply with safety requirements
• Use proper welding techniques and be sure to
protect the molten puddle from contaminants
in the air
• Inspect the weld
 ARC WELDING
• An electric arc is generated between an
electrode and the parent metal
• The electrode carries the electric current to
form the arc, produces a gas to control the
atmosphere and provides filler metal for the
weld bead
• Electric current may be AC or DC.
 Electric Power for Welding
• Current used may be
– 1. AC
– 2. DC

For most purposes, DC is preferred.

 AC Arc Welding
• instead of 220 V at 50 A, for example, the
power supplied by the transformer is around
17–45 V at currents up to 600 A.
 DC Arc Welding
• D.C. machines are made up to the capacity range
of 600 amperes.
• 45 to 95 volts
• D.C. can be given in two ways:
(a) Straight polarity
(b) Reverse polarity
The polarity will affect the weld size and application
 Comparison of A.C. and D.C. arc welding
Direct Current (from Generator)
1. Less efficiency
2. Power consumption more
3. Cost of equipment is more
4. Low voltage – safer operation
5. Suitable for both ferrous non ferrous metals
6. Preferred for welding thin sections
7. Positive terminal connected to the work
8. Negative terminal connected to the electrode
Arc Welding Equipments
Metal arc welding
 Types of Electrodes
1. Bare electrodes
2. Coated electrodes
 Arc Welding
• The choice of electrode for SMAW depends on
a number of factors, including
1. The weld material
2. Welding position and
3. The desired weld properties.
 Welding Electrodes
• The composition of the electrode core is generally similar and
sometimes identical to that of the base material.
• But even though a number of feasible options exist, a slight difference
in alloy composition can strongly impact the properties of the resulting
weld. This is especially true of alloy steels such as HSLA steels.
• Likewise, electrodes of compositions similar to those of the base
materials are often used for welding nonferrous materials like
aluminium and copper.
• However, sometimes it is desirable to use electrodes with core
materials significantly different from the base material. For example,
stainless steel electrodes are sometimes used to weld two pieces of
carbon steel, and are often utilized to weld stainless steel workpieces
with carbon steel workpieces.
 Coated Electrodes
• The electrode is coated in a metal mixture
called flux, which gives off gases as it
decomposes to prevent
1. Weld contamination
2. Introduces deoxidizers to purify the weld
3. Causes weld-protecting slag to form
4. Improves the arc stability, and
5. Provides alloying elements to improve the weld
quality.
 Electrode Coating
• Electrode coatings can consist of a number of different compounds, including
rutile, calcium fluoride, cellulose, and iron powder.
• Rutile electrodes, coated with 25%–45% TiO 2, are characterized by ease of
use and good appearance of the resulting weld. However, they create welds
with high hydrogen content, encouraging embrittlement and cracking.
• Electrodes containing calcium fluoride (CaF 2), sometimes known as basic or
low-hydrogen electrodes, are hygroscopic and must be stored in dry
conditions. They produce strong welds, but with a coarse and convex-shaped
joint surface.
• Electrodes coated with cellulose, especially when combined with rutile,
provide deep weld penetration, but because of their high moisture content,
special procedures must be used to prevent excessive risk of cracking.
• Finally, iron powder is a common coating additive, as it improves the
productivity of the electrode, sometimes as much as doubling the yield.
 Functions of electrode (flux) covering
• Provides the gaseous shield to protect the
molten metal from air.
– Cellulose-type electrode (C6H10O5)x , providing
gas mixture of H2, CO, H2O and CO2.
– Limestone-type electrode (CaCO3) – low in
hydrogen and it is used for welding metals that are
susceptible to hydrogen cracking such as high-
strength steels.
 Functions of electrode (flux) covering
• Deoxidation - Provide deoxidizers and fluxing agent
to deoxidize and cleanse the weld metal. The solid
slag also protects the weld metal from oxidation.
• Arc stabilization - Provide arc stabilizers which are
compounds such as potassium oxalate and lithium
carbonate. They readily decompose into ions in an
arc, which increase electrical conductivity.
• Metal addition - Provide alloying elements (for
composition control) and metal powder (increase
deposition rate) to the weld pool.
 Types of Electrodes
Electrodes can be divided into three groups—
1. Fast-fill electrodes,
Fast-fill electrodes are designed to melt quickly so that
the welding speed can be maximized
2. Fast-freeze electrodes,
fast-freeze electrodes supply filler metal that solidifies
quickly, making welding in a variety of positions
possible by preventing the weld pool from shifting
significantly before solidifying. and
3. Intermediate electrodes go by the name "fill-freeze" or
"fast-follow" electrodes.
 Arc Welding Power Supplies
• The current for arc welder can be supplied by
line current or by an alternator/generator.
– The amount of heat is determined by the current flow (amps)
– The ease of starting and harshness of the arc is determined by the electrical
potential (volts).

• Welding current adjustments can include:

– Amperage
– Voltage
– Polarity
– High frequency current
– Wave form
 Amperage Output
• The maximum output of the power supply
determines the thickness of metal that can be
welded before joint beveling is required.
• 185 to 225 amps is a common size.
• For an individual weld, the optimum output
amperage is determined by
– thickness of the metal
– type of joint and
– type of electrode
 Five Common Output Currents
For Arc Welding
1. AC (Alternating Current)

2. DC (Direct Current)

3. ACHF (Alternating Current-High Frequency)

4. PC (Pulsed Current)

5. Square wave
 Alternating Current
• Alternating current: The type of current where
the flow of electrons reverses direction
(polarity) at regular intervals.
• Recommended for general purpose electrodes
and flat position.
Alternating Current
 Direct Current
• Direct current: The type of current where the flow of electrons
(polarity) is in one direction.
• Controlling the polarity allows the welder to influence the
location of the heat.
• When the electrode is positive (+) DCRP, it will be slightly hotter
than the base metal.
• When the base metal is positive (+), DCSP, the base metal will be
slightly hotter than the electrode.
• DC is required for GMAW
• It is frequently used for SMAW
 Ampere
• Electricity passing through a resistance causes heat.
• An air gap is a high resistance
• The greater the amperage flowing through the
resistance (air gap)  the greater the heat.
• The electrode also has resistance.
• Excessive amperage for the diameter of the electrode
(current density) over heats the electrode.
• Insufficient amperage for the diameter of electrode
makes the electrode hard to start.
 Drooping Characterstics

Constant Current

Increasing the voltage from 20 to 25 volts

(25%) only decreases the amperage from 113
to 120 Amp (5.8%).
 Arc Welding Defects
The most common quality problems associated with SMAW include
• 1. Weld spatter
Weld spatter, while not affecting the integrity of the weld, damages
its appearance and increases cleaning costs. It can be caused by
excessively high current, a long arc, or arc blow, a condition
associated with direct current characterized by the electric arc
being deflected away from the weld pool by magnetic forces. Arc
blow can also cause porosity in the weld, as can joint
contamination, high welding speed, and a long welding arc,
especially when low-hydrogen electrodes are used.
• 2. Porosity
Porosity, often not visible without the use of advanced
nondestructive testing methods, is a serious concern because it can
potentially weaken the weld.
 Arc Welding Defects
• 3. Poor fusion
Another defect affecting the strength of the weld is poor fusion, though it
is often easily visible. It is caused by low current, contaminated joint
surfaces, or the use of an improper electrode.
• 4. Shallow penetration
Shallow penetration, another detriment to weld strength, can be addressed
by decreasing welding speed, increasing the current or using a smaller
electrode.
• 5. Cracking.
Any of these weld-strength-related defects can make the weld prone to
cracking, but other factors are involved as well. High carbon, alloy or sulfur
content in the base material can lead to cracking, especially if low-hydrogen
electrodes and preheating are not employed. Furthermore, the workpieces
should not be excessively restrained, as this introduces residual stresses
into the weld and can cause cracking as the weld cools and contracts.[10]
 Advantages of arc welding
• 1. Simple welding equipment
• 2. Portable
• 3. Inexpensive power source
• 4. Relatively inexpensive equipment
• 5. Welders use standard domestic current.
• 6. Process is fast and reliable
• 7. Short learning curve
• 8. Equipment can be used for multiple functions
• 9. Electric arc is about 5,000 oC
• 10. Used for maintenance, repair, and field construction
 Disadvantages
• Not clean enough for reactive metals such as
aluminium and titanium.
• The deposition rate is limited because the
electrode covering tends to overheat and fall
off.
• The electrode length is ~ 35 mm and requires
electrode changing lower the overall
production rate.
 Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Uses an arc between a continuous filler
metal electrode and a workpiece
• Shielding is provided by a flux contained
within the electrode
• Additional shielding may be obtained from
an externally supplied gas or gas mixture
• Commonly used in construction because it
is a fast welding process and is easily
portable
Arc Welding
Arc Welding