Welding is commonly used in industries, where its applications are endless. It uses various metals, and each responds differently to heat. The metals can also be used for different applications depending on their reaction to heat, and how they expand when heated. There are various materials used in industrial welding applications, and having adequate knowledge about them helps choose what’s best for your needs.
The common metals used in industrial welding are:
1. Copper
Copper is commonly used in industrial welding, thanks to its many benefits. It’s known for its excellent thermal conductivity and will easily transfer heat from the welding area. This characteristic helps avoid overheating of welding equipment, thus making it easy to manage the welding process. It also helps avoid welding defects such a warping or distortion, and you will get it in almost any leading industrial welding company.
Copper is also a good electrical conductor and is ideal for various welding techniques involving electrical currents. It ensures consistent electrical flow during welding, thus resulting in better welding quality and efficiency. Another good quality of copper is corrosion resistance. This is beneficial, especially when the weld joints are exposed to harsh weather or corrosive elements.
The Micro Weld team uses copper in most projects since the characteristic ensures the durability of the welded materials, minimizing the need for repairs. Copper is also compatible with many metals and alloys like steel and aluminum, which helps in the fabrication of complex structures.
2. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel boasts many excellent qualities, which makes it favorite among many welding companies. It’s corrosion-resistant and suitable for places commonly exposed to moisture or other corrosive elements. For this reason, materials made from stainless steel are highly durable and will minimize maintenance costs.
Stainless steel has high tensile strength, and provides structural integrity to welded objects. This makes it suitable for construction and automotive work. Moreover, stainless steel is easy to clean, thus suitable for food processing, healthcare, and pharmaceutical applications.
Stainless steel is temperature resistant and can withstand high temperatures without losing its mechanical properties. It’s suitable for applications that involve extreme heat, such as power generation.
3. Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, the reason why it’s commonly used in industrial welding. It’s corrosion resistant and has conductive properties, but it presents challenges compared to welding other metals. It distributes heat faster, and this can make it difficult to achieve stability during welding.
4. Titanium
Titanium is commonly used for many industrial welding applications. It is strong with a high strength-to-weight ratio. This makes it suitable for weight reduction applications such as aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. Also, it’s corrosion-resistant even in harsh environments like acidic solutions or places with high temperatures. It’s suitable for welding items exposed to corrosive elements like offshore structures and medical implants.
Conclusion
There are various materials used in industrial welding. These range from copper, steel, titanium, stainless steel, cast iron, and more. You can get them from leading welding companies, but you should always engage a skilled team. Therefore, hire an experienced industrial welding company and ensure the use of high-quality materials in your project.