So you’ve made it big in the welding field, and industry heads want to give you the kudos you deserve. As you make your way through the crowd, a newbie welder (eyes glazed over in awe of your talent) approaches you with a question:
“Excuse me. I’m student welder, and I have a hard time remembering some of the most basic welding terms. For example, what is hardfacing? I remember the word but not the meaning.”
You look at this eager student and feel a lump in your throat. The problem? You’re an expert at welding in every way imaginable, but you never bothered to learn some of the common terms used in the industry.
Of course, that is just the most dramatic example of not knowing welding basics. Sometimes you simply forget them. That’s why it’s time for another pop quiz!
*Note: I only added words that fall under the “Standard Welding Terminology” category, so welders of all skill levels and in different areas of welding should have knowledge of these.
Welding Refresher: Terminology
Fill in the blank. How many of these definitions can you fill in without a word bank?
1. Electric arc and oxyfuel gas cutting processes can be used for ______________. _______________ is usually done to cut a groove or bevel in a workpiece to prepare it for welding.
2. This substance with metallic properties and composed of two or more chemical elements, of which at least one is a metal, is known as _____________________.
3. A depression in the weld face at the termination of a weld bead is called a ________________.
4. ____________________ is the application of a hard, wear-resistant material to the surface of a workpiece by welding or spraying, or allied welding processes, to reduce wear or loss of material by abrasion, impact, erosion, galling and cavitation.
5. *Hint: First blank is one word. Second blank is two separate words with the same word from the first blank.
A ____________ between two members located approximately at right angles to each other in the form of an A. ______________ ____________is formed by the angular placement of an edge of one base metal part on an edge or surface of another base metal part so that neither part extends beyond the outer surface plane of the other part.
6. _____________, or fin, is metal and oxide expelled from a joint made by a resistance welding process. Alternatively, in arc welding, the unexpected exposure of the unprotected eye to the rays of a welding arc.
7. The mechanical working of metals using impact blows.________________is accomplished by repeated hammer blows to the surface of the metal. The blows may be administered manually, as with a hammer, or with pneumatic tools.
8. ______________ is a nonstandard term for the final layer of a groove weld.
9. An ________________ weld is one in which the continuity is broken by recurring unwelded spaces (basically, over-welding).
10. __________ __________ is the percentage of time during an arbitrary test period that a power source or its accessories can be operated at rated output without overheating.
Answers:
1. Gouging
2. Alloy
3. Crater
4. Hardfacing (you knew I’d throw this one in there!)
5. Joint, Corner Joint
6. Flash
7. Peening
8. Cap
9. Intermittent
10. Duty Cycle
So, how much time do you spend per week refreshing on some of the basic terms, symbols, etc. of welding?