Type of arc | Metal | Metal thickness | Joint type | Welding system | Applications | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Short arc | Ferrous | 0.5 and 2.6Â mm | Lap joint | Manual | Pipe industries for root pass | High spatter and fume generation |
Butt joint | All positions | Thin section only | ||||
Fillet joint | Not for Aluminium | |||||
Globular arc | Ferrous | 3Â mm and above | Lap joint | Manual | Low-quality weld | Low frequency (<10 Hz) |
Butt joint | Flat and horizontal fillet | High level of spatter and fume | ||||
Fillet joint | Low current range | |||||
Spray arc | Ferrous | 5Â mm and above | Fillet and groove | Manual and automation | Flat position, horizontal position, vertical, and overhead | High spatter and fume generation |
- Non ferrous | Â | Â | Fill passes | Thick section only | ||
Not suitable for heat sensitive metal | ||||||
Restricted shielding gas | ||||||
Controlled short circuiting arc | Ferrous | 0.3Â mm and above | Lap joint | Manual and automation | All position | More expensive equipment |
Non-ferrous | Butt joint | Root pass | Digital power source | |||
Dissimilar | Fillet weld | Transportation industry | ||||
Controlled globular arc | Ferrous | 3Â mm and above | Lap joint | Automation | All positions | Relatively high current and voltage |
Butt joint | To reduce spatter in conventional globular | Higher burn through potential | ||||
Fillet joint | ||||||
Controlled spray arc | Ferrous | 1.5Â mm and above | Larger joint type application | Manual and Automation | All positions | More expensive equipment |
Non-ferrous | Fill and cover passes | Higher arc energy | ||||
Dissimilar | Root pass | Restricted shielding gas | ||||
Large-industry application | ||||||
High-power arc | Ferrous | 3Â mm and above | Larger joint type application | Automation | All positions | Limited for combination of the welding parameters |
Non-ferrous | Shipbuilding | Risk of arc instability | ||||
Dissimilar | Machine construction | Requires suitable power source | ||||
Steel structure | Â |