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Common Metals Used in Welding – Types and Properties


Welding stands as a testament to the marriage of speed, versatility, and dependability in metal joining processes. Broadly categorized into fabrication and repair, welding involves either creating something new by joining metal pieces, or mending existing structures.

In this exploration, we’ll specifically focus on the three widely used metals in welding – steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Fabrication vs Repair

Fabrication entails taking individual metal components and fusing them to form entirely new creations. On the flip side, repair word can range from mending simple household items to reinforcing critical structures. When welding for repairs, the objective is to produce a weld stronger than the original piece, ensuring durability.

                                                                                                                            

Significance of Understanding Metals Used in Welding

Understanding the properties of metals is a crucial aspect of welding. Comprehensive knowledge about the metals being used and their responses to the intense heat involved allows for effective manipulation and joining. 

Key properties of metals include:

  1. Melting Point: Understanding the melting point helps identify the heat required before the metal starts melting.
  2. Ductility: A metal’s ability to change shape without breaking.
  3. Electrical Conductivity: A measure of how well a metal can conduct electricity.
  4. Strength: The amount of external force a metal can withstand without breaking.

                                                                                                                            

Commonly Used Metals in Welding

Not all metals are widely used for welding, but for beginners, three commonly used metals are steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. 

    • Steel

Steel, the most popular metal on Earth, is an alloy of iron with less than 2% of another material, often carbon. It comes in three variations: low-, medium-, high-carbon steel, with the carbon content content dictating its strength. 

Despite being strong and versatile, steel is heavy and prone to rusting. As beginners often start learning to weld on steel, it’s crucial to carefully select the filler metal and manage the heating and cooling process before and after welding.

    • Stainless Steel

Possessing similar qualities to steel, stainless steel has the added advantage of corrosion resistance due to its alloy containing 10-30% chromium, and nickel. It’s compatible with all three welding processes (ARC, MIG, TIG), but its downside is its higher cost.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply immunity to rust or corrosion. In fact, incorrect welding techniques or the use of a plain-carbon steel wire wheel for cleaning can make stainless steel corrode as swiftly as regular steel.

    • Aluminum

Much like stainless steel, aluminum resists corrosion, and it is lightweight. Pure aluminum and aluminum alloys, containing copper, manganese, and zinc, are popular choices. Particularly suitable for TIG welding, aluminum ensures a cleaner and simpler welding process. 

Over time, aluminum has emerged as the second-most commonly used metal after steel in metalworking.

                                                                                                                            

Crafting with Metallurgy

We spotlighted three commonly used metals for beginners: steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. By understanding the properties of metals and embracing the versatility of welding processes, we unlock a realm of possibilities in craftsmanship.

So, the next time you marvel at the towering skyscrapers or intricate metal sculptures, remember that behind every weld lies a story of resilience, and the enduring spirit of human creativity.

Resources

    1. Welding for Dummies – Steven Robert Farnsworth

    2. Welding: Everything You Need To Know – Todd Bridigum