Pros and Cons of Welding

Welding is used for joining two metal pieces. There are different types of welding and each of them has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Welding when used in construction sites is responsible for the durability of the joints. It is a dependable, efficient and economic method of joining metals. The welded joints last for years and can withstand a lot of harsh conditions. They have great strength. The welded joints have low initial cost and can be repaired easily. Welding is a very versatile process and can be applied to many applications. There is wide range of electrodes to choose from. The equipment used are very simple and portable. Welding is a process which delivers high quality output with minimal operator skills. Some types of welding are suitable for welding thick sections also and the fumes released are minimal. The metal deposition rate is high. Welding is a very simple process and requires minimal training, supervision and logistics. Gas welding is used to weld thin sections and delicate work-spaces. This type of welding produces welds of exotic appearance and high quality.

While welding is a process with many advantages and uses, it has a few drawbacks as well. The welding process which uses electrodes is not as productive as the continuous wire process. The welder has to stop frequently to change the electrodes. There is a lot of metal wastage in the form of electrode stubs. The welder cannot see the welding process and hence cannot judge the process accurately. Gas welding becomes difficult in windy areas and shielding will be required in such circumstances. Arc welding is limited to areas where the atmosphere is stable. The arc welding requires high maintenance costs due to the electronic components involved in the process.