Deutsch: Schweißen / Español: Soldadura / Português: Soldagem / Français: Soudage / Italiano: Saldatura
Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material (the weld pool) that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes used in conjunction with heat, or by itself, to produce the weld.
In the context of quality management, "welding" refers to the process of joining two or more pieces of metal or other materials by heating them to a temperature where they fuse together. Welding is used in a variety of applications, including manufacturing, construction, and repair, and is an important component of many quality management systems.
Examples of welding in a quality management context include:
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Gas welding - a process that uses a gas flame to heat and fuse the metal.
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Arc welding - a process that uses an electric arc to generate heat and fuse the metal.
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Spot welding - a process that uses a concentrated heat source to fuse small areas of metal together.
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MIG welding - a process that uses a continuous wire feed and a shielding gas to fuse the metal.
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TIG welding - a process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a shielding gas to fuse the metal.
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Resistance welding - a process that uses an electrical current to generate heat and fuse the metal.
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Laser welding - a process that uses a high-powered laser beam to heat and fuse the metal.
Quality management in welding includes processes such as weld inspection, testing, and certification to ensure the integrity and quality of the welding process. This may include visual inspections, x-ray, ultrasonic, and other non-destructive testing methods, as well as destructive testing methods, such as tensile testing. The goal of these processes is to ensure that the welded joint is strong, durable, and free of defects, and that the welding process is consistent and meets relevant standards and specifications.