Electrically weld the seam. How to weld properly

Business 08.10.2020
Business

Quite often it is required to connect metal parts or fragments of parts. There are several ways to get the desired result. Most often, the method of electric welding is used to connect iron and steel parts.

What is it based on?

How to cook with electric welding? In order to understand the principle, you need to remember physics from the school curriculum. One of them is connected to the work piece. When the electrode touches this surface, a depression is formed at the point of contact, which is filled with molten metal as the electrode moves. The edges of the metal parts melt under the influence of tremendous temperature and turn into a single whole.

Arc ignition methods

When learning how to weld metal with electric welding, it's worth learning a thing or two about the method itself. The distance and electrical high temperature pulse between the workpiece and the electrode is called an arc. There are two ways to create such conditions:

  • In the first case, the electrode (quickly touching) "strikes" the iron, as if with a match. The resulting arc must be maintained by driving the additive a few mm from the working surface of the metal.
  • In the second case, the tip of the electrode must be tapped sharply on the workpiece.

The resulting arc should not be extinguished. If this does happen, before the electric welding continues, the seams must be descaled. Failure to follow this rule leads to the formation of a hole.

The importance of amperage for welding

The calculation of the current strength corresponding to the thickness of the electrode will show in practice how to learn how to cook with electric welding. With insufficient current, the electrode will stick, and the arc will extinguish. With a high current, the metal will splatter and burn. If you use a welding transformer, then a 1 mm electrode corresponds to a current of 30-35 A. When using a 3 mm electrode, a current of 80 A. If you increase the current, iron can be cut.

Electrodes are selected taking into account the chemical composition of the metal. There are several types of this filler material:

  • steel;
  • bimetallic;
  • cast iron;
  • copper;
  • brass.

All of them are marked with an index and numbers indicating the type of metal for which hardness and thickness.

Learning how to cook with electric welding correctly, you need to remember that in order to obtain high-quality seams, the electrodes must correspond to the thickness of the metal.

Welding of flat metal sheets

Thin metal (from 1 to 3 mm) is butt-connected without gaps and additives, achieving a good alignment of the aligned edges.

For a better fit of the joints of thicker sheets (from 3 to 8 mm), the edges should be cut at right angles. A gap of up to 2 mm is left between the sheets. Material with a thickness of 8 mm is joined by double-sided welding. To connect thicker planes, the edges are cut with a bevel.

Where to start learning to cook iron

Learning how to cook properly with electric welding starts with the simplest processes.

  • The prepared parts are fixed on a horizontal surface (on the welding table).
  • Potholders fasten them along the edges and in the center.
  • It is necessary to insert a new additive into the holder and attach a clamp from the mass to the part.
  • First, work out the correct inclination of the electrode (about 75 degrees) in the direction of the arc. In this case, it is necessary to make movements that, as it were, rake the molten metal into the junction.
  • The end of the electrode should be in the center of the seam. Due to the observance of the angle of inclination, the drops flow more evenly from the hot electrode and form an even high-quality roller
  • After the workpiece has cooled down, slag must be beaten off the surface of the part.

Time after time, as you gain experience, the seams will turn out smoother and more accurate.

How to make a vertical seam

How to weld a vertical seam with electric welding? The main thing is to start by following all the recommendations. Welding vertical seams is similar to horizontal welding, only a little more difficult. Workpieces are tacked in two or three places. Then welding is carried out only from the bottom up, sticking drop by drop. The entire gap is gradually filled with hot metal. How to learn how to cook with electric welding? The task is to merge both edges, melting them with a welding arc, while simultaneously directing metal drops there from the end of the electrode heated to a liquid state.

You can weld the seam not with drops, but with the so-called "eight", but only an experienced specialist can handle this. So, if you are interested in knowing how to learn how to weld a vertical seam with electric welding, it is first recommended to look at the work of an experienced welder, to listen to the advice of the masters. And only then start the process on your own.

How to make a nice and strong corner seam

Correctly making the so-called "tee" seam is not as easy as learning how to cook with electric welding. This seam is used if you want to fasten parts at different angles. The metal parts are installed so that the weld flows down to the very corner. The parts to be welded fixed by the boat are seized from opposite sides. In addition, one edge of the workpiece rises slightly higher. The welding process must be started from the bottom edge. In this case, carefully following the instructions on how to cook with electric welding correctly, the quality of the weld can be significantly improved.

Which is better to use

  1. The old ones with an adjustable magnetic gap, which allows you to adjust the current strength, are transformer. There are many variants and models with rheostats and additional chokes on the primary or secondary sides of the transformers.
  2. Inverter machines are more modern welding devices. Operating from increased frequency, the transformer of such units is smaller and lighter. In such devices, you can smoothly adjust the welding modes. The adjustment of the latter must be carried out carefully, otherwise the device may quickly fail.

Pipe welding methods

In the absence of experience, it is better to learn how to weld a pipe with electric welding on thick metal. Several passes are made depending on the pipe wall thickness. Multi-layer welding improves the mechanical properties of the resulting seam, and the joint becomes stronger.

First, a half-ring is welded in one direction, then in the second. In the "top-down" method of conducting the seam, use 4-mm electrodes that have organic spraying. With a short arc, resting on the formed "visor", the attachments are driven by small lateral vibrations.

When working in the "bottom up" method, the speed is sharply reduced. The transverse vibrations of the electrode are made 3-5 mm.

When out of pipes, you first need to prepare and lay out all the material on a welding table or stand. Then they are centered and pulled together to obtain the gap required for welding. The assembled joints are tacked together.

Pipes with a small diameter are connected by continuous welding, with a large diameter - in an intermittent manner. After the completion of all welding processes, the working surface of the metal is cleaned of scale, frozen splashes, slag. A control examination is carried out to detect cracks or burn-throughs, emerging craters or pores. In the presence of poorly welded places, the seam is restored.

For your own safety, you need to work during welding in suede gloves and mittens, in a welder's mask, in tarpaulin or thick leather boots and in a cotton robe. There must be a fire extinguisher or a container with water nearby.

Today, there is a wide variety of metal joining methods. But in order to understand how to properly lay a weld, it is necessary to study in more detail the principles and methods of welding. According to technical characteristics, the methods are divided into two types:

  • detachable;
  • one-piece.

Detachable connections are those in which it is possible to disconnect parts without disturbing the connecting elements. For example, a bolt and a nut. But the one-piece connection is considered the most durable, since with it the parts do not separate without breaking the connecting parts. This type includes welding and riveting types of joints. If it is necessary to obtain a high-quality and reliable joint, a weld seam would be the best option.

Often, craftsmen for welding elements acquire welding devices without any skills and experience in work. And after failures, they begin to wonder how to properly lay the weld.

Principles of the welding process

Various types of welding.

Welding is the process of joining individual metal elements, where electric welding is used. The connecting elements melt under the influence of an electric arc and an electrode, which is a specially coated metal rod. c and the strength of the weld largely depend on various factors:

  • welding device;
  • current regulator;
  • the size of the electrode used;
  • on the classification and skills of the welder.

In domestic and industrial spheres, several types of welding are used, which, in turn, are divided into groups:

  • gas-press;
  • contact;
  • roller;
  • electroslag;
  • termite;
  • friction.

When using gas-pressure welding, an open flame of acetyl-oxygen is used. The advantage of this method is its high productivity. This method is widely used in the gas and oil industries. It is common in pipelines and is also widely used in mechanical engineering.

If there is a low voltage in the network, then resistance welding is often used, but there must be a high value of electric current. With this method, spot and butt welding is permissible. Consequently, it is easier to work along the seam.

To master the technology of welding, you need to purchase a welding device.It can be rented, and if it is necessary for long-term work, then it would be wiser to buy it. Today's specialty stores can offer a range of welding devices, among which there are machines equipped with a current regulator.

Back to the table of contents

The sequence of laying a weld

In order to learn how to lay the weld seam correctly, it is important to take into account that the electrodes must be selected taking into account the thickness of the metal being welded, and the current strength must be set across the electrodes.

The calculation method is not difficult, for example:

  • when using welding transformers with an electrode cross-section of 1 mm, the current must correspond to 30-40 A;
  • a welding inverter with an electrode size of 3 mm requires a current of 80 A, and with a current of 100 A, metal cutting is possible.

As for the premises, it does not matter, but when performing welding work to ensure fire safety, you need to stock up on a bucket of water. Before starting welding work, it is necessary to prepare all the tools so that they are at hand. The parts to be welded at the seams should be cleaned with a metal brush. In order for the seam to be even and neat, it is recommended that the workpieces to be welded be pre-set using clamps or vices.

In order to have an idea of \u200b\u200bhow to work properly with electric welding, it is advisable to first practice welding beads on a plane, and when performing this process, the best option would be to use electrodes with a cross section of 3 mm, since they are the most popular.

It is important to take into account that it is best to use newly purchased electrodes for work, since those purchased long ago can absorb moisture, which makes the welding process difficult.

The following actions:

  1. It is necessary to attach the mass to the working element with a clamp;
  2. The electrode is inserted into the holder.
  3. The arc is ignited, while using one of two methods: striking like a match, or tapping on the part to be welded.
  4. Further, welding is performed by guiding the electrode over the surface (the angle must be maintained at 75 °), while vibrational fractions should be produced, according to the principle of operation, this resembles the raking under the arc crater of a molten mass of metal.
  5. In the end, a high-quality, even seam is obtained.

It is not difficult to make an even high-quality seam. It is important to have at least a little knowledge of physics, the necessary high-quality equipment and a little skill.

It takes a lot of practice to learn how to cook well.There are an incredible number of moments when it is required to weld by welding, and this may be required at home, in the country, in an apartment, in a garage, in any high-rise building, in particular, in such areas of activity as construction or repair at home, as well as in plumbing, water supply and drainage and more. Hiring specialists to carry out welding work is not a cheap pleasure, and therefore many people prefer to boil the necessary elements on their own. How to do it right? It is not easy to learn how to work with electric welding from scratch, but it is quite possible, and for this you can attend lessons for beginners, purchase a self-instruction manual for dummies, or use the tips presented below.

    • Recommendations: how to weld metal properly
    • Welding options
    • Tips: how to learn how to cook electric welding yourself
    • What defects are worth knowing about in order to make the correct weld
    • Precautions Before Welding With Electrodes
    • Nuances for beginners in welding
    • How to cook with electric welding (video tutorials)
    • Examples of welds (photo)

To weld metal sheets or pipes, you will need to familiarize yourself with safety precautions, study the work process, carefully follow the technology, or hire a welder such as a trumpeter.

Many people think that it is enough to know how to use electrodes and how to weld seams, but you need to know all the intricacies of work, especially regarding the connection of 2 different metals and what kind of electrodes are needed.


Before starting metal welding, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of specialists and watch a master class

Theory is one thing, but it takes a course of practice to start welding various structures yourself without oversights and the likelihood of leaks. For example, before welding, each element must be fixed with a screed, clamps and other elements.

You need to know:

  • What problems may arise;
  • How to avoid defects;
  • What is the welding technology for a particular type of elements.

In addition, potholders or, in other words, transverse seams may be required, each of which holds the joint of the joints, and it is desirable to install them at a distance of 10 cm from each other.

Welding options

There are various types of seams, which can differ from each other for various factors, in particular, how the metal products are connected. These are the very basics of welding that are taught to beginners.

The seam can be:

  • Butt;
  • Overlap;
  • Tavrovy.


Welding seams may vary depending on the type of welding machine

The profession of an electric welder is very difficult and sometimes requires too much investment in strength and energy, since metal products can be welded even under the ceiling. The classification of the seam can be based on where they are located in space, and distinguish vertical, horizontal, ceiling types.

Tips: how to learn how to cook electric welding yourself

It is quite possible to weld a metal structure on your own in 1 day if you know how many electrodes are required, which ones you need to use, and provided that the product is not too large.

And what else do you need to keep in mind to learn how to cook yourself:

  1. It is important for the welder not only to work correctly, but also to study the basics, in particular, what operating mode is required for a particular material, since the metal can be made of steel, alloys or from such sheets as the color of met.
  2. You should definitely study the methods with which you can make a particular seam.
  3. It is necessary to correctly approach the choice of electrodes and welding wire.

If initially you do not need to become a professional of the highest category, then you can learn welding yourself if you watch video tutorials, drawings with seams, and also study the advice of professionals. The training will be long, but possibly productive, especially if you gradually try to produce seams, increasing the amount of work experience.

To start welding, you need electrodes and the welding machine itself.


To learn how to cook well, it is worth getting an appropriate education.

Many people prefer to use resant, as the technique can withstand prolonged loads, which allows you to quickly finish the job. At the first attempts to work with welding, it is better to use a really inverter, and only then, with a lot of experience, it is possible with any other device. As for the electrodes, it is advisable to choose "3". They are easy to use, and most importantly, they do not overload the electricity network.

In general, welding equipment is divided into types - transformer, rectifier, inverter. Why do inverters remain popular? They are compact, lightweight and very easy to handle for a beginner. At the first steps to the study of welding, it is worth taking simpler types of metal and preferably even elements, so as not to complicate the task.

Before welding, you need to prepare:

  • Bucket with water;
  • Slag hammer;
  • Iron brush;
  • A mask that protects the face and neck area;
  • Gloves made of a special fabric, impregnated with a composition to exclude fire and burnout of the canvas;
  • Special clothing with long sleeves.

Do not forget that the welded business is fire hazardous, and therefore it is strictly forbidden to be nearby flammable or flammable objects in order to exclude serious consequences.

What defects are worth knowing about in order to make the correct weld

It is not so easy to make beautiful seams that have an ideal look, since even a specialist with extensive experience cannot always carry out the process as competently as possible. It all depends not only on whether the rules are followed and whether the angle of inclination of the electrode is correctly chosen, but also on many points.

It is worth noting that any training manual has data on defects, which must be familiarized with.


Correct weld bead looks neat and has almost the same thickness in different places

There are critical ones, and there are non-critical ones, that is, those that can be left without additional processing. We learn how to distinguish a high-quality seam from a low-quality one and why defects occur.

Defects:

  1. Lack of penetration is a defect in which insufficient filling of the joint space with liquid metal occurs, this affects the strength of the joint. The reason may be a weak voltage, too high a speed at which the electrode moves. After the current has been corrected and the arc has been cut in length, the defect must be repaired.
  2. Undercut. This defect indicates the presence of a groove along the seam. The cause may again become too long an arc, due to which the seam is not just bad, but wide. This leads to incomplete heating of the metal, due to which the edges begin to harden quickly. To fix the problem, it is worth reducing the arc length and increasing the amperage.
  3. Burnouts are through holes at the joints. The reason is a high current, if you slowly lead the electrode, and too large gaps between the ends of the parts. The defect can be eliminated by correcting the welding mode.
  4. If pores are formed on the seam, chaotically scattered along the entire length of the joint, then this is due to the presence of a draft in the room, due to which the gas cloud is blown out from the work area or, if the metal is covered with rust.

There are other defects in the form of cracks, or the seam simply bursts, this occurs immediately after the metal has cooled down. They can be longitudinal and transverse. Depending on when they formed, they can be hot or cold.

Precautions Before Welding With Electrodes

Regardless of where do-it-yourself manual camping electric arc welding is applied, safety precautions must be followed, which is reflected in every welding tutorial.

Precautions:

  1. It is strictly forbidden to use arc welding in frost and in a room with high humidity.
  2. A mask and a protective shield must be present, which will protect your eyes from burns.
  3. Clothes should be specially impregnated, from which sparks and drops of hot metal will roll off.


When welding metal, be sure to use a protective mask

Hands should be covered with suede gloves or special canvas mittens. Due to the fact that welding work is carried out at a high temperature, and the likelihood of fire is very high, the process should be carried out where there is water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

Nuances for beginners in welding

On the matter of welding, there are many tips and even secrets for each master, but there are a number of general instructions, guided by which, you can carry out work and lay seams almost at a professional level, even with self-study.

Nuances:

  1. It is imperative to remember about grounding, namely, there is a special clamp that must be tightly applied to the part.
  2. It is imperative to check the insulation of the cable and how carefully it is tucked into the part.
  3. As soon as the mass is connected, the current strength is selected, it depends on the type of electrodes and on the material.
  4. Before striking the arc, the electrode must be positioned at a 60 ° angle to the material.

The principle of welding and the scheme of work is not too complicated. Namely, if you start to slowly drive the electrode over the metal, sparks will begin to form, which indicates the formation of a welding arc. For it to occur, the electrode must be held so that the space between it and the web is 5 mm.

In the course of work, the electrode will burn out, but there is no need to rush to move it.


Beginners need to make small welds first.

The speed with which the seam should be applied depends on whether it should be thin or thick. When the electrode sticks, it is enough just to move or tilt it to the side. The trick is simple but effective. It is worth noting that there is such a term as a weld pool, and it can have different sizes. For example, width 8-15 mm, length 10-30 mm, depth 6 mm.

The format depends on:

  • Locations - indoors or in space;
  • Welding mode;
  • Configurations of each piece to be connected;
  • The size and shape of the edge;
  • Arc travel speeds.

Welding techniques can be used to make a boiler for heating or to connect water pipes. There are just a lot of places where welding equipment is used, because with its help they erect fences, make playgrounds, assemble metal structures of high-rise buildings, mount drainage systems, install railings and more.

Having not only the skills to work with welding equipment, but also the appropriate education, you can equip your house or plot with all the necessary structures, as well as get a prestigious job. Naturally, those welders who have a complete understanding of their work, welding modes, features and nuances of this business are held in high esteem.

How to cook with electric welding (video tutorials)

It is very easy to distinguish a beginner from a professional, since he will not be too hasty and you will have to digest the seams more than once. If high-quality welding work is required, but there is not enough experience or knowledge, then it is better to entrust the process to professionals who are able to carry out everything at the highest level and at the same time provide a quality guarantee.

Examples of welds (photo)

Contents: 1) Types of welds 2) Varieties of welds 3) Preparation 4) Excitation of the arc 5) Position of the electrode 6) Movement of the electrode 7) Switching on 8) Choosing an inverter 9) Possible mistakes 10) Interesting video

Welding is the most popular way of joining metal products. But often used does not mean simple. The science of how to properly lay a seam by welding needs to be learned in the same way as others. It is not difficult to acquire theoretical knowledge and even receive a certificate of completion of specialized training. During the first experiment, it turns out that it is not always possible to make a beautiful weld seam.

Experienced craftsmen know how to properly apply a weld. But, and they may face an abnormal situation, as the technology in the welding business goes forward and the industry produces more modern equipment. You should constantly improve your skills and master new methods of how to correctly make a seam by welding.

Types of welding

Different types of welding differ from each other in the way they affect the materials to be joined.

  1. Arc... The most commonly used method due to its simplicity. In arc welding, an electrode is used as a melting tool. With it, the arc is struck and held throughout the entire welding process. The electrode is chosen depending on the grade of the metal, and its diameter depends on the width of the weld.
  2. Gas... The source of heat for gas welding is the torch. From it, the action of strong pressure leaves a flame that was formed during the combustion of a mixture consisting of a combustible gas such as acetylene and oxygen.
  3. Semi-automatic... A mechanical device is used - a semiautomatic device. The role of the electrode is played by the wire with its automated feeding. Gas also enters there, the task of which is to protect the molten metal from the aggressive effects of the environment. It is possible to set various modes, which makes it possible to weld multi-pass seams with a semiautomatic device.
  4. Automatic... Unlike semi-automatic, the whole process is carried out by a welding machine. It is only necessary to configure the machine for a specific operation.
  5. TIG welding... Popular with professionals. Attracted by its versatility and the ability to weld metal of different thicknesses.

Regardless of what type of welding is used, the correct welding seam will result from compliance with the requirements of the technological process, carrying out preparatory work, and following recommendations.

Varieties of welds

How to correctly make a weld depends largely on its type.

The geometrical parameters of the seam include its width, length, depth, bulge size. Beautiful welded seams can only be obtained with a successful selection of its parameters for each specific case.

Butt seams are obtained by the usual connection of metal surfaces or their ends. This process does not take much time. Metal consumption is also minimal. When connected in a T-style, the result is a structure that looks like an inverted "T".

The advantage of this method is that it can be used to connect elements that have a significant difference in width. Using the "boat" installation makes the welding process more convenient and reduces the likelihood of defects. Typically, this connection is made in one pass.
A corner connection is usually made at right angles, but small deviations from this value are possible. A stronger connection is obtained by welding on both sides. The overlap method is suitable for thin parts. When placing one part on another, boiling is carried out from both sides.

An important point in how to properly lay a weld is a good choice of bevel of the edges. Various options are available. In addition, it is possible to join without beveling the edges, for example, with the overlapping method.

Training

A significant point in its importance, how to make a beautiful seam when welding, is the correct preparatory work. Since the process is accompanied by the appearance of fire, it is necessary to carefully prepare the workplace of the welder performing the work. Provide protective clothing and a mask. There should be no flammable objects and materials near the place of work.

The work piece to be welded must be cleaned of dirt, dust, residues on its surface of stains of paint, grease and oil. In addition to mechanical stress, the use of solvents or alcohol is permissible.

If welding equipment is used, then you should first check its functionality. Then select the mode and set the required parameters. If the device malfunctions, its operation is strictly prohibited.

Arc excitation

One of the main points on how to properly weld the seams is to correctly excite the arc. One of the known methods should be chosen. The first of them is that, holding the electrode in your hand, touch the metal with its tip and quickly take it back to a distance of 2-4 millimeters. Delay threatens the electrode sticking to the metal. The result will be an arc. If this does not happen, you should try again.

Another way is to move the electrode over the metal surface with a quick movement and immediately raise it by a few millimeters. One of the secrets of how to properly apply a weld is to maintain a short arc throughout the welding process. This will ensure smooth welding and a high-quality weld with a good appearance. However, if the arc is too short, the process may be interrupted, which will cause the appearance of a defect in the form of a crater. The crater must be welded to continue working.

Contactless arc striking is possible when using an oscillator. It serves as a complement to the main welding machine. To excite the arc, the electrode should be brought closer to the metal surface at a distance of about 5 millimeters. Then press the corresponding button on the oscillator and wait for the appearance of the welding arc.

Electrode position

Knowing how to lay a weld starts with knowing how to position the electrode. Otherwise, a situation may occur in which slagging of the seam occurs, which will not benefit its quality.
There are three options for the position of the electrode when welding. The first two imply its inclination in different directions within the same limits, and the third occurs at right angles.

Forward angling involves moving forward away from the welder. It is suitable for welding non-thick metals in vertical and horizontal positions. At a "backward angle" the movement is towards the welder. Suitable for short distances for butt and fillet welds. For hard-to-reach places, use the 90 degree angle position. This is somewhat more complicated, but it solves the issue with welding the ceiling seam.

Electrode movements

An ideal weld, or rather an approximation to it, is possible with a successful choice of the method of electrode movement during welding. The most common movements are along the axis of the electrode and along the axis of the seam. But simple movement in a given direction will not bring the desired result. This will produce a narrow threadlike seam. It can be used as the first seam in multi-pass welding.

To obtain the desired effect, the movements must be oscillatory. This will ensure that the seam of the required width is obtained, good heating not only of the seam root, but also of its edges.

The trajectories along which the oscillatory lateral movement occurs:

  • zigzag;
  • a loop;
  • broken line;
  • herringbone or triangles;
  • crescent;
  • sickle.

All movements are performed across the direction of the weld.

A broken line is used when metal sheets are to be butt welded in the lower position. The crescent is chosen for butt and fillet welds. Before welding with a herringbone, it is necessary to first make a surfacing of a small surface on which it will hold. A simple technique for guiding the electrode with a herringbone pattern is to move it horizontally and then place it slightly higher in the middle of the seam.

The crescent movement can be used for TIG welding. In this case, the seam width will be large, but it can be controlled during the welding process itself. The transverse movements of the crescent moon guarantee good welding of the edges of the parts.

The use of the hinge provides beautiful connections when welding thin metals. The chain of loops must be continuous. The use of loop-like movements is justified when it is necessary to warm up the seam edges well. This is especially important when welding parts made of high-alloy steel. The amplitude of the reciprocating movements is selected depending on the required seam width.

The choice of a movement pattern for solving the problem of how to make a beautiful weld depends on its position in space. The seams are horizontal and vertical. A horizontal seam located at the top is called a ceiling seam. It is the most difficult to perform, since the welder must be in an uncomfortable position for a long time. A horizontal seam can be made in two ways - with movements to the left or right.

When welding in the vertical direction, the direction of movement of the seam is from bottom to top. Creation of a vertical weld is more difficult than a horizontal weld because the molten metal flows down intensively. If we move from top to bottom, then the metal droplets, when solidified, form a solid barrier for the continuation of the seam. Welding a vertical seam should be carried out with a short arc.

Inclusions

Foreign inclusions are called cavities inside the seam, filled with slag, flux, oxide, foreign metal.

When slag particles enter the weld seam, a defect called slag inclusions is formed. The weld seam is slagged when the edges and welding wire are not cleaned well enough to remove dirt and oxides. Other reasons why the weld is slagged include: long arc welding, low amperage, too fast the welding process. If a multi-pass seam is carried out, then slags can get inside in the absence of cleaning the previous layers.

Slag sections reduce the weld cross-sectional area, which leads to a decrease in strength.
Flux inclusions arise as a result of the fact that the flux granules did not have time to dissolve in the liquid metal and did not float to its surface. To prevent this situation, it is necessary to use a high quality flux and prevent it from unintentionally entering the weld pool. Foreign bodies can accidentally enter the weld pool.

Choosing an inverter

The correct weld will be obtained by choosing the right equipment for your specific welding conditions. The welding inverter is a reliable compact machine that is easy to use. The characteristics allow generating currents of different magnitudes, which makes it possible to weld parts of different thicknesses and different grades of metals. There is an automatic shutdown system in case of mains voltage surges, overheating and too long operating time.

One of the important characteristics when choosing an inverter is its capacity. The operating instructions indicate the period of continuous operation of a particular model. Additional options make working with it more convenient.

Possible mistakes

Professional advice will help you learn how to get reliable and beautiful welds and how to weld them correctly. The main mistakes that do not allow you to get a high-quality seam include:

  1. Moving electrode too fast. As a result, the seam is uneven.
  2. Excessively low electrode guidance speed. Burn-throughs are formed, which are a serious defect and are unacceptable in critical structures.
  3. Incorrectly maintained angle of inclination of the electrode . It should be between 30 and 60 degrees. When these values \u200b\u200bare exceeded, the evenness of the seam is disturbed.
  4. Welding of metals of different grades with very different characteristics, in particular, the melting point. When one metal has already melted, and the second is still only slightly heated, then welding cannot occur. Cracks appear that must be eliminated.
  5. Working with wet electrodes. Before starting welding, they must be dried or even calcined. Humidity causes uneven arc burning.
  6. Incorrectly selected welding mode, electrode type, current value.
  7. Arc length too long or too short.
  8. The use of welding equipment with an overdue verification period.
  9. Insufficient heating of the edges. To do this, it is necessary to select transverse vibrational movements, the range of which corresponds to the width of the seam.
  10. A large gap between parts can cause a shrinkage cavity.

Nice welds cannot be obtained with pores in them. There are many reasons for their appearance in the weld:

  • insufficient cleaning of the edges, leaving dirt, rust, scale on them;
  • high moisture content on the edges and electrode;
  • the presence of drafts in the welding zone;
  • poor quality electrodes;
  • a big difference in the chemical composition of the base and filler materials.

Over time, experience comes in how to properly lead the weld. This is the skill of a welder, whose profession is in demand and prestigious.

Welding is one of the main methods of bonding two elements, and welding seams are the areas that connect two metal workpieces to each other. Such adhesions are obtained during the melting and subsequent cooling of the steel.

A good welder should know the types of welded joints and be able to apply all types of seams . Without these skills, it is impossible to make a high-quality and durable structure.

Joint types

The welds are divided into 5 variations:

  • overlapping;
  • parallel;
  • butt;
  • corner;
  • t - shaped.

Overlapping is often used to create cylindrical tanks that are planned to be operated in a horizontal or vertical position. The welded elements overlap, but do not overlap completely. The result is a structure that looks like a step. Welding seams are applied on the end sides of the parts .

Parallel deposition methods are used to increase the strength of the structure. Both components are tightly applied to each other and are sealed by welding from the side of the ribs. With this technique, you can strengthen structures, the appearance of which will be subject to strong mechanical stress. However, such technology is prohibited to use in the repair of moving mechanisms.

The butt version is the most popular. The parts to be welded must be in the same plane, one opposite the other. This joint is used to secure water pipes, chimneys, storage facilities or steel columns together. Also, this system is used in mechanical engineering, in the manufacture of air and water transport, at military plants. Yes, and the creation of such a "gluing" requires a minimum of money and time.

Fillet welds work well for joining multiple workpieces that need to be at right angles. The workpiece is made as follows: parts are installed at an angle of 90 ° (in the form of the "G" symbol), and a welded seam is applied at the junction of the edges . This welding is common both in industry and in private households. And with its help, you can make solid supports or boilers.

The T-weld or T-weld is unlike the others as the finished part will look like a "T". It will be difficult for an inexperienced person to create this, since in the process it is important to consider the limitations related to holding the electrode (it is recommended to adhere to an angle of 60 °). In this case, the thickness of the sheets to be joined may differ. Also, more wire will be required for execution, and elements welded with the T-method may come out with defects.

Technique of work

The movement of the rod along a solid line will not be enough for a good weld , and to become a master of your craft, you need to understand the technique of using the apparatus. The main features of the technology are constant control of the gap between the components. If the distance is too small, then the steel will not heat up well, which will negatively affect its strength. Both the speed of the tripod guidance and the basic soldering procedure should be monitored. The main thing is that the molten metal is evenly distributed over the groove.

How to apply a suture correctly :

  1. Cook in a circular or zigzag motion. The trajectory should be maintained throughout the entire adhesion.
  2. Keep the handle at the correct angle. The sharper the slope, the shallower the steaming depth.
  3. Control the pace of movement of the electrode. It all depends on the voltage of the apparatus. A high current allows the holder to move at a higher speed, and the seams will ultimately be thinner.
  4. Choose the adhesion layers wisely. Several rows can be made in the butt joints, however, a T-welded seam is more often made with this technique.

Taking these rules into account will help to achieve the desired result, and the specialist will accurately produce any type of weld.

Application methods

Application methods include:

  • Horizontal type. According to the rules, you can apply a seam both from right to left and in the opposite direction. It is important to observe an acceptable angle of inclination here, since excess molten metal will flow out. If a person has few skills, then the entire procedure can be performed in 2-3 passes.
  • Vertical type. The work surface can be located in the ceiling or wall areas. Welding joints can also be made in two ways: from top to bottom and from bottom to top. However, it is better to choose the first option, since the heat from the arc contributes to the high heating of the alloy.
  • Ceiling type. The whole process must be carried out very quickly, while maintaining a stable pace of the rod. Also, to preserve the alloy in the seam, you will need to make rotational movements. It should be noted that the current version is the most difficult, and you should start working after gaining the necessary experience.
  • The first time it is difficult to understand what the varieties are, and to study all the technologies. But regular practice will make any newcomer a real professional.

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