Arc Welding: Harnessing the
Power of Electricity
Amazing results from such a simple method.
Conjoining two pieces of metal with tremendous
strength and making this possible by harnessing
the power of electricity. An electricity arc of
an arc welder is so hot that it melts metal into
a liquid form instantly. Harnessing the power of
electricity is what made America what it is
today.
The basic operation of an arc welding unit, also
known as a stick welder, involves electricity
directed through a steel rod, known as an
electrode, through the material that is being
welded. To ensure a clean weld the electrode is
coated in a material called flux which keeps
contaminates from penetrating the electricity
arc or the metal. Contaminates come from working
with wet, dirty, or rusted metal or even the
atmosphere contaminates such as oxygen or carbon
dioxide. The only expenses on an arc welder is
the electricity and the desired electrodes
depending on the task at hand.
Depending on the unit's size an arc welder can
cost anywhere from two hundred to five hundred
dollars per unit. Arc welders are known for
being able to weld very thick metals. To get a
mig welder that welds the same thickness of
metal as an arc welder a person would have to
buy one of the more expensive higher class mig
welders ranging all the way up to two thousand
dollars. This cost seems high but is reasonable
because then a person would have the same
penetration of an arc welder but with a much
cleaner weld than an arc welder.
Arc welding is great for welding in the outdoors
or on dirty and rusted metal. Arc welding is
more forgiving if the conditions of the outdoors
were to be windy, raining, or snowing. Or if the
condition of the metal may be dirty or rusted.
As the electricity arc melts the metal
electrode, the flux on the steel rod turns into
a gas and surrounds the arc from contaminants
entering even including oxygen. Although to
ensure a good weld one must clean and dry metal
to be worked on and have a proper welding
environment to work in for best results.
Understanding how an arc welder works is only a
small portion to welding. It is the person who
understands how to harness the power of
electricity who will get great returns on what
they create.
Source: Free Articles
About the Author
Written by Chris Nicholas- Owner and Webmaster
of http://www.HandyPowerTools.com Supplier of a
wide range of name brand & non-name brand power
tools ranging from metal and wood fabrication
power tools to automotive maintenance and repair
power tools.
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