Table 5 Welding arc and applications

Short arc

Ferrous

0.5 and 2.6 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

3 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

5 mm and above

Fillet and groove

Manual and automation

Flat position, horizontal position, vertical, and overhead

High spatter and fume generation

- Non ferrous

Fill passes

Thick section only

Not suitable for heat sensitive metal

Restricted shielding gas

Controlled short circuiting arc

Ferrous

0.3 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

3 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

1.5 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

3 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