process that uses an electric arc to produce a molten puddle to join metals
atomized gas
a gas formed when a liquid is dispersed as a stream of droplets
backfire
condition in which torch flame rapidly burns back into the torch tip making a pronounced popping sound and causing the gases to rapidly re-ignite; this is usually caused by an excessively dirty torch tip or low gas pressures
barrel
extension for the sub-arc tip; a straight torch
connector (female/male)
used at the end of welding cables or torch hoses to connect cables or hoses together
consumables
materials that are consumed in the course of welding and cutting operations
contact tip (contact tube)
tip found at the end of a welding gun in which electricity is transferred from the gun to the consumable wire before the wire enters the weld zone
current type
electrical characteristics including the current (AC, DC) and type (AC, DCEN, DCEP)
decant
to pour (a liquid) from one container into another
drawings
prints (blueprints), assembly drawings, detail drawings, shop and fabrication drawings, hand-drawn sketches, engineered drawings; used to understand types and placement of welds
drive rolls
in wire feed, equipment that comes in various sizes and is used to drive wire through liner to gun contact tip
dunnage
blocking or cribbing used to support a load
electrode (rod) ovens
ovens that are maintained at a certain temperature to keep electrodes stabilized and dry
electrode extension (stick-out)
amount of filler wire, tungsten, or other material protruding from the gun’s contact tip or cup of the equipment
electrode
a metal core that has a flux coating baked on the outside that is connected with a power source to create an electric arc
filler wire
consumable melted during the welding process that becomes part of the weldment
flashback arrestor
type of equipment that prevents possible explosions due to ignition of gases in the hoses of oxy-fuel or air/fuel equipment
flow meter
meter used in conjunction with a regulator to measure the volume of gases used in welding processes
flux
a material applied before or during joint preparation or surfacing to remove oxides and contaminants
gas diffuser
device to distribute shielding gas in a GMAW, FCAW or MCAW process
gas lens
in gas tungsten arc welding, a collet body holder that diffuses the gas and grips the tungsten
guns
part of certain types of welding equipment that is actually held in the hand and is used to control the filler wire
heat treatment
any application of heat to metal assemblies for the purpose of bending, stress relieving, preheating, hardening, or tempering
inverter power sources
power sources designed to operate on a high cycle to provide high amperage in a smaller unit
magnetic particle examination
test involving magnetic yokes and iron filings to determine the existence of defects or cracks in the surface of the welds
metallurgy
branch of science that involves the chemical analysis of metals and alloys
modified short-circuit transfer
a controlled short-circuit transfer GMAW process to make single-sided root welds on pipe
nozzle
a device that directs shielding media
pickling paste
acidic compound applied to the surface of stainless steel to replenish the oxide layer, returning the steel to its original condition
postheating
heating assemblies after final welds are complete to remove stresses, often involving wrapping the assembly in fire-retardant materials to allow even distribution of heat
preheating
heating metals to a desired temperature to aid in the welding process
puddle
pool or puddle of molten material that forms the bond between pieces that are being welded
regulator
piece of equipment that regulates the flow and/or pressure of gases through a hose
slag
a nonmetallic product resulting from the mutual dissolution of flux and nonmetallic impurities in some welding and brazing processes
temperature measuring devices
devices used to measure temperature for pre-heat, interpass and post-heat applications
transformer rectifiers
type of welding power source that brings in AC power and rectifies it to DC through the use of a diode
work lead clamp
clamp fastened to the end of a welding cable that is then fastened onto a work piece to allow for a completed welding circuit