When welding using a fusion process, the edges of a component are melted together to form weld metal.

Table: Heat source, mode of shielding, thickness range and metal deposition rates for various fusion processes
Process | Heat source | Shield | Parent metal thickness mm | Deposition rate kg/hr |
Arc | ||||
MMA | Arc | Gas/flux | 1-100 | 1-4 |
MIG | Arc | Gas | 0.5-100 | 1-8 |
TIG | Arc | Gas | 0.1-100 | 1-4 |
SAW | Arc | Flux | 5-250 | 5-20 |
ES/EG | Resistance/arc | Flux/gas | 5-250 | 5-20 |
Stud | Arc | – | 4-20 | – |
Gas | ||||
Oxyfuel | Flame | Gas | 0.6-10 | 1-2 |
Power beam | ||||
Laser | Radiation | Gas | 0.2-25 | – |
EB | Electrons | Vacuum | 0.2-250 | – |
Resistance | ||||
Spot/Seam | Resistance | – | 0.2-10 | – |
Thermit | ||||
Thermit | Chemical | Gas | 10-100 | – |
Table 2 shows heat source, mode of shielding, thickness range and metal deposition rates for a range of fusion processes. Although fusion welding is one of the simplest joining techniques, problems likely to occur include porosity in the weld metal, and cracking in either the weld or heat affected zone (HAZ). Porosity is avoided by ensuring adequate shielding of the weld pool and, for materials such as aluminum, the addition of filler wire.
Consideration of the joint design and the chemistry of the weld metal will prevent weld metal cracking. HAZ cracking which might be caused by hydrogen, is avoided by using low hydrogen consumables and controlling the heat input and the rate of cooling of the parent metal.
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