scope:

a. This volume contains technical and instructional data on the commonly used arc-welding processes or techniques as well as two newer welding processes, laser and electron beam.

b. Arc-welding processes for the purposes of this volume, are defined as those welding processes wherein coalescence is produced by heating with an electric arc or arcs with or without the use of filler metal.

c. The processes discussed in this volume will include all of the commonly used arc-welding processes as well as two related processes-- electron beam and laser--which are not arc-welding processes. Both of these processes are similar to arc welding in several respects:

1) Laser and electron-beam processes, like arc welding, provide high- intensity heat sources as compared with flame heat of oxy-gas processes. In fact, laser and electron beam provide higher intensity heat sources than arc-welding processes.

(2) In laser and electron-beam welding as in arc welding, there is a transfer of energy along a columnar path between the physically separated source and work.

(3) Laser and electron-beam processes are similar to arc welding since they involve the progressive formation along the weld seam of a small molten puddle which solidifies progressively to complete the joint, Arc-welding processes such as those involving bare unshielded electrodes and carbon electrodes, which are no longer commonly employed in production welding applications will not be discussed in this volume.

d. The objectives of this volume are:

(1) To provide technical information regarding the operating theory and use of various arc-welding and related processes.

(2) To point out particular points about the specific welding processes which should be recognized by quality-assurance minded people in order to better perform their duties.

(3) To provide basic background data on welding metallurgy and general welding technology to permit welding inspectors to converse with welding engineers and metallurgists.

(4) To promote understanding of the role of quality assurance in overall control and improvement of welded fabrications.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this volume is to provide technical guidance to Department of Defense (DOD) engineering and inspection personnel in the general field of arc-welding technology.