Basics

Welding basics include the underlying concepts and mechanics of how it works, and its pros and cons.

AWS A5.4 Standard Electrodes

Stainless Steel Electrodes E309/E309L-16

AWS A5.4 Standards — Electrodes Stainless steel welding demands consistency, corrosion resistance, and metallurgical control. The AWS A5.4 / A5.4M specification provides the industry’s official blueprint for covered stainless steel electrodes used in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). From welding instructors and quality engineers to plant fabricators and inspectors, understanding …

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Shielding Gas for GMAW and FCAW

Safe Handling of Gas Cylinders

How to Choose Shielding Gas for GMAW and FCAW Choosing the correct shielding gas is as important as selecting the right wire or welder settings. The gas directly controls arc behavior, heat input, penetration, spatter, and — ultimately — weld quality and mechanical properties. For GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding, …

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Welding Stainless to Carbon Steel

Welding Stainless to Carbon Steel

Welding Stainless to Carbon Steel Welding stainless steels to carbon (mild) steels is one of the most practical — yet metallurgically tricky — tasks a welder faces. The join is common in piping, heat exchangers, exhaust systems, and many retrofit repairs where corrosion resistance is needed only on one side …

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Welder Qualification Ranges

Arc Stability and Proper Fusion in GMAW

Welder Qualification Ranges Explained (WPS/PQR/WPQ): Thickness, Positions, Backing Suppose you’ve ever stood at the whiteboard trying to translate code tables into shop reality. In that case, you already know “welder qualification ranges” are the heart of getting people legally and safely onto the job. This guide unpacks how thickness, positions, …

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MIG Welding Settings

MIG Welding Amps and Wire Speed

MIG Settings by Thickness (MIG Settings Chart & Tuning Guide) Getting MIG (GMAW) settings right begins with metal thickness. Thickness determines the transfer mode you can use, the wire size you should load, the gas you should choose, and—ultimately—the voltage and wire feed speed (WFS) that give sound fusion without …

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Weld Preparation and Bevel Angle

Surface Cleaning and Preparation

Weld Preparation and Bevel Angle Welds don’t just happen—they’re engineered. One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of welding is proper weld preparation, and at the heart of this preparation lies the bevel angle. From structural bridges to pressure vessels and pipelines, the quality of a weld depends greatly …

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Proper Heat Input and Penetration

Weld Pool

Proper Heat Input and Penetration In the world of welding, the term “heat input” might sound like just another technical metric—but in reality, it plays a crucial role in determining the success of a weld. Alongside it, weld penetration is the quiet partner that ensures a weld is not just …

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ASME B31.3

Guide to the ASME B31.3(Process Piping)

The Complete Guide to the ASME B31.3 (Process Piping) Process piping systems are the lifelines of chemical plants, oil refineries, gas processing facilities, and pharmaceutical factories. Ensuring the safe design, fabrication, and inspection of these systems is paramount, and that’s where ASME B31.3 steps in. This guide takes you through …

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Types of Welding Beads

Types of bead patterns

Different Types of Welding Beads What Is a Welding Bead? A welding bead is the line or deposit of metal that forms as a result of fusing two pieces of base metal during welding. It appears as a raised, visible track along the joint, and its shape, consistency, and structure …

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P Number, F Number, and A Number in Welding

Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)

P Number, F Number, and A Number in Welding (ASME Section IX) In pressure vessel and piping fabrication, ASME Section IX stands as a cornerstone for regulating welding qualifications. Among the most essential classifications within this code are the P Number, F Number, and A Number. These numerical designations simplify …

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