Do you remember the 80s movie Flashdance? The female lead, Jennifer Beals, was a daytime welder at a Pittsburgh steel mill, and for many people, that was the first look at what a welder did for a living.
Jennifer certainly made welding look glamorous even though the movie, not to mention Jen's skills as a welder, came under fire from critics.
Jen reportedly later said that she studied welding for two months before filming began, but because the director wanted more sparks on camera, she was forced to do a terrible job. Maybe we can set her free of it.
Despite what the movies show, welding is of course serious work. It is used to join pieces of metal and is a very specialized trade. So what are the different types of welding and what are they used for in industry?
MIG welding
MIG welding is one of the easiest types of welding for beginners to learn. MIG welding is actually two different types of welding. The first uses bare wire and the second flux core.
Bare wire MIG welding can be used to join thin pieces of metal. Flux cored MIG welding can be used outdoors because it does not require a flow meter or gas supply. MIG welding is typically the welding of choice for DIY enthusiasts and hobby welders who don't have the money to spend on expensive equipment.
Stick welding
Stick welding, also known as arc welding, is done the old-fashioned way. Stick welding is a bit more difficult to master than MIG welding, but you can buy stick welding equipment for very little if you want to try it out at home. Stick welding uses a stick stick welding rod.
TIG welding
TIG welding is extremely versatile, but it is also one of the most difficult welding techniques to learn and Lincoln Electric TIG welders are skilled people.
Two hands are required for TIG welding. One hand feeds the rod while the other holds a TIG torch. This torch creates the heat and arc, which are used to weld most conventional metals, including aluminum, steel, nickel alloys, copper alloys, cobalt, and titanium.
TIG welders can be used to weld steel, stainless steel, chromoly, aluminum, nickel alloys, magnesium, check out here copper, brass, bronze, and even gold. TIG is a useful welding process for bike frames, lawn mowers, door handles, fenders, and more.
Plasma arc welding
Plasma arc welding is a precision technique and is commonly used in aerospace applications where the thickness of the metal is 0.015 of an inch. An example of such an application would be on an engine blade or air seal. Plasma arc welding is very similar in technique to TIG welding, but the electrode is recessed and the ionizing gases within the arc are used to create heat.
The normal combination of gases is argon for the plasma gas, with argon plus 2 to 5% hydrogen for the shielding gas. Helium can be used as a plasma gas, but because it is hotter, the nozzle current rating is reduced.
Electron beam and laser welding
Electron beam and laser welding are extremely precise high-energy welding techniques. Electron beams and lasers can be focused and aimed with the exceptional precision required to weld the smallest of implantable medical devices while delivering the enormous amount of energy needed to weld large pieces of spacecraft. Electron beam and laser welding are versatile, powerful and automatable processes. Both can create beautiful welds from a metallurgical and aesthetic perspective. Both can be profitable.
Gas welding
Gas welding is rarely used anymore and has been largely replaced by TIG welding. Gas welding kits require oxygen and acetylene and are very portable. They are still sometimes used to weld car exhaust parts.
There is currently a severe shortage of skilled welders in the US and the rest of the world, so for young people who decide to pursue a career as a welding technician, the job prospects are good.