| As a joining method, welding has been around for centuries. Today, roughly 100 welding methods are used in different industry sectors. The use of industrial gases (whether as individual gases or gas mixtures) to optimize welding processes dates back to the 40s and 50s. Since then the shielding-gas-based welding processes have emerged to be the predominant group of welding methods.
Important gas-shielded welding methods are MIG, MAG, TIG and plasma.
The 80s and 90s saw many welding innovations. These included laser, tandem and laser-hybrid welding. MAG welding is the preferred method for normal unalloyed steels, but is used as well on stainless steels and other materials..
The gases used in welding perform an important function in that they shield the molten weld pool and molten filler material from the damaging effect of air. |
