Welding Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
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. |
Amplify Tungsten Electrodes | Amplify™ brand, highest-quality tungsten electrodes for welding. For improved weld consistency, less rejects and lower costs, choose Amplify™ tungsten electrodes. Available in sizes from .020" (0.5mm to 1/4" (6.3mm) and popular blends including 1.5% Lanthanated (Gold), 2% Lanthanated (Blue), 2% Ceriated (Orange), 2% Thoriated (Red), Zirconiated (Brown) and Pure (Green). |
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 Saber | Arc Saber tungsten storage container. ArcSaber's features a threaded-on cap with o-ring seal, 12.5lbs pull rated Neodymium (rare-earth) magnet located in the base, and includes a wood strip to minimize atmosphere and moisture contamination. The ArcSaber also features a handy sticker on top, illustrating 22° and 45° tungsten tapers for quick reference! |
ArcTime Tungsten Electrodes | ArcTime™ hybrid non-radioactive tungsten electrodes. Formulated to improve weld-quality, lower tungsten inventory costs and minimize weld defects. What started as a "cult product" designed to solve tungsten electrode performance problems for a select group of manufacturers using new inverter welding machines-- has grown into the tungsten electrode material of choice for professional fabricators. ArcTime™ brand hybrid tungsten electrodes with the distinctive "Sky Blue" tip. The best performing tungsten available. ArcTime™ -- One Tungsten, No Limits -- |
Autogenous Weld | A fusion weld made without the addition of filler metal. |
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 | The Premier Welding Equipment Online Store Dedicated to Quality Tools & Technical Service Since 1998! |
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. |