Welding production: characteristics, development

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Welding production today is one of the key technological processes that ensure the activities of enterprises of various directions. Welding can be safely called a technological, reliable and most effective way to create permanent joints of various designs. Today we propose to talk about the history of welding and, of course, about the prospects of this industry in our country.

Welding BC

It's hard to imagine, but scientists say that the oldest examples of welding found during archaeological excavations date back to the eighth century BC! The very first source of metal was small fragments of native metals, for example, meteorite iron, gold or copper. During the forging process, they were turned into thin plates or points. But if the metals were also heated during forging, then small pieces could be combined into larger ones, which were suitable for the manufacture of various products.

Later, people learned how to smelt metal and even melt it. And then - in the process of casting - to obtain almost perfect products from bronze and copper. Over time, foundry production improved, and therefore, instead of casting whole products, people connected small parts using molten metal.

Iron Mastery

The most important stage in the development of welding production was the development of iron. It happened about three thousand years ago. Of course, now iron ores are used everywhere, and the recovery of iron from them is a relatively easy process. But in ancient times, no one knew how to melt iron, and therefore a product of dubious quality was obtained from ore, which consisted of tiny particles of iron, ore, slag and coal. Only many hours of forging could correct the situation.

A variety of products were made from the obtained metal by forge welding - weapons, tools for work.

Welding in the 19th century

Until the 19th century, soldering and forge welding did not lose their popularity. But in this century, a completely new stage in the development of welding production began. The fact is that metal production has grown, as well as the need for welding. Of course, existing methods could no longer meet the increased needs.

It was then that the rapid development of the industry began - in ten years it has improved more than before - in a whole century! New heating sources began to develop, capable of easily and quickly melting metal -oxy-fuel flame and electric current.

Electric arc discharge

It is impossible not to note the discovery of an electric arc discharge. It is on its use that the so-called arc welding is based. An essential role in the creation of this belongs to our compatriots - engineers and scientists. And he discovered such a phenomenon as an arc discharge, in 1802 Vasily Vladimirovich Petrov, a Russian electrical engineer and scientist.

Eight decades later, Nikolai Nikolaevich Benardos used a carbon electrode in the process of arc welding. And six years later - in 1888 - Nikolai Gavrilovich Slavyanov invented arc welding with a consumable metal electrode. In 1903 French engineers Charles Picard and Edmond Fouche discovered flame welding. In the early 1940s, another welding method appeared - submerged arc welding. And in the 80s of the last century, the study and application of gas-laser welding began.

Welding production: characteristics

Today we can say with confidence: welding has literally replaced the method of connecting various parts with rivets. In Russia, various types of welding are used, such as:

• electroslag;
• thermal;
• automatic submerged arc;
• gas;
• gas press;
• light;
• diffusion;
• contact and many others.

Welding: definition, types

We bring to your attention the basics of welding production. First, let's answer the question - what is welding? Welding acceptedname the technological process that allows to obtain permanent connections. This happens through the establishment of interatomic bonds between parts during deformation, heating.

That is, thanks to welding, it is possible to replace a rather heavy one-piece structure with a prefabricated structure, which consists of the simplest elements. Accordingly, at the same time, the cost of production and labor intensity are significantly reduced.

In welding production, it is customary to distinguish three main types of welding - contact, fusion and pressure welding. Consider these types in more detail.

Fusion welding

The most common method is arc welding. Of course, after this type was first used in welding production in the 80s, everything changed significantly: the equipment became more perfect, as did the types of electrodes used. Both the methods of protection and the methods of alloying (introducing various impurities into the metal) of the metal have changed.

Today, the arc process has been combined with arcless welding. That is, it became possible to increase the power of the heating source.

Resistance welding

This type of welding in the welding industry combines the contact of metals and the supply of current, which causes heat. The main disadvantage of this type of welding is the formation of a burr - an influx caused by metal shrinkage. This flash must be removed after the welded parts have cooled.

Pressure welding

This type can be calledtype of resistance welding. With it, metal surfaces are subjected to pressure, which allows you to get a reliable connection even without heating. What determines the quality of such a weld? There are a number of factors:

• surface preparation;
• effort;
• the ability of a metal to deform.

Prospects for welding and welding production

Specialists say that in the near future various devices, automatic and semi-automatic, will take the leading positions. These devices will be characterized by increased efficiency, an increased number of current phases, and high power. Automation of welding production will significantly reduce the requirements for the qualification of a welder, new equipment will not require the services of unique specialists, an ordinary specialist will be enough.