| Term |
Definition |
| Abrasion |
A condition of wear most often caused by rubbing together of two surfaces. |
| Abrasion resistance |
The property of a material that allows it to resist abrasive wear. |
| AC |
The accepted abbreviation for alternating current. |
| Active gases |
Gases that will combine with the weld metal if given the chance. Carbon dioxide and oxygen are active gases. |
| Actuator |
A device used to move part of a machine.Robots use electric and hydraulic actuators. |
| Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A)
|
This cutting process uses the heat of a carbon electrode arc to melt the metal, and uses forced air to remove the molten metal from the cut. For large cuts, use a welder that can use carbons of at least 3/8ä in diameter. |
| Air cooled torch/gun |
A MIG (GMAW) or TIG (GTAW) torch used for light duty work.These torches do not utilize water for cooling like heavy-duty torches.Air cooled TIG torches are generally limited to 200 amps at 60% duty cycle.Air cooled MIG guns are generally limited to 400 amps at 60% duty cycle. |
| Air pressure leak test |
An inspection method used for pipelines and storage tanks.Welds are coated with a soap solution, then the vessel is filled with gas under pressure.Bubbles show any leaks due to defective welds. |
| Alloy |
A mixture of two or more metals to achieve specific qualities such as hardness, ductility, etc. |
| Alternating Current (AC) |
Electrical charges which flows in one direction then the other at regular intervals such as 60 cycles per second (50 cycles per second in Europe). |
| Ammeter |
An instrument used to measure electrical current flow in amperes. |
| Ampere |
A unit of measure of electrical current.One ampere of current will flow through a conductor of one ohm at a potential (electrical pressure) of one volt. |
| Amperage |
Also referred to as current, it is the amount of electricity flowing per second, past a particular point in a conductor. |
| Annealing |
The softening of metals by heat treatment.This process typically involves heating the metals up to critical temperature and then cooling them slowly. |
| Anode |
The positive terminal of an electrical circuit. |
| ANSI |
An abbreviation for the American National Standards Institute. |
| Arc |
The flow of electricity through a gaseous space or gap. |
| Arc blow |
The wandering of an electric arc from its normal path due to magnetic forces. |
| Arc Cutting |
A group of cutting processes wherein the severing or removal of metals is accomplished by melting with the heat from an arc between an electrode and the parent material. |
| Arc Force |
Provides variable additional amperage to a power source during low voltage conditions. This avoids ãstickingä when a short arc is used. |
| Arc length |
The distance between the electrode and the base metal.In SMAW, this distance should be approximately equal to the electrode diameter. |
| Arc-seam weld |
A weld bead with an arc welding unit. |
| Arc-spot weld |
A spot weld made by an arc welding process. |
| Arc spraying |
A surfacing process using an electric arc between two electrodes of surfacing material and a pressurized gas to propel the vaporized material onto the base surface. |
| ARC Time |
|
| Arc voltage |
The electrical potential across an arc.The pressure or voltage of an arc. |
| AWS |
The abbreviation for the American Welding Society. |
| AWS electrode specifications |
Strict manufacturing specifications developed by the American Welding Society for electrodes.AWS electrode specifications are published and revised every five years. |
| Arc welding |
A group of welding processes used to melt and weld metal using the heat of an electric arc, with or without filler metal. |
| Arc-Zone.com |
Products, Services and Solutions for all your welding needs. |
| Argon |
An inert gas found in the atmosphere and used as a shielding gas in some welding operations, primarily TIG. |
| Automatic Welding |
Equipment which uses sensing devices to control joint alignment.Most commonly some type of arc welding wherein all welding operations are controlled and initiated by automated means. |
| Axis of weld |
An imaginary line along the center of gravity of the weld metal and perpendicular to a cross section of the weld metal from the beginning to the end of the weld. |
