Welding production today is one of the key technological processes that ensure the activities of enterprises of various kinds. Welding can be safely called a technological, reliable and most effective way to create one-piece joints of various designs. Today we offer to talk about the history of welding and, of course, about the prospects of this industry in our country.
Welding BC
It's hard to imagine, but scientists say that the oldest welding samples found during archaeological excavations date back to the eighth century BC! The very first metal source was small fragments of native metals, such as meteorite iron, gold or copper. In the forging process, they were turned into thin plates or points. But if metals were also heated during forging, then small pieces could be combined into larger ones, which were suitable for the manufacture of various products.
Later, people learned to melt metal and even melt it. And then - during the casting process - to get almost perfect products from bronze and copper. Over time, foundry improved, and therefore, instead of casting entire products, people connected small parts using molten metal.
Mastering iron
The most important stage in the development of welding production was the development of iron. It happened about three millennia ago. Of course, now iron ores are used everywhere, and the reduction of iron from them is a relatively easy process. But in ancient times no one was able to melt iron, and therefore a product was obtained from ore of dubious quality, which consisted of tiny particles of iron, ore, slag and coal. Correct the situation could only many hours of forging.
A variety of products were made from the metal obtained by blacksmithing - weapons, labor devices.
19th century welding
Until the XIX century, soldering and forging welding did not lose their popularity. But in this century a completely new stage in the development of welding production began. The fact is that metal production has increased, as has the need for welding. Of course, existing methods could no longer satisfy the increased needs.
It was then that the rapid development of the industry began - in ten years it was improved more than before - in a whole century! New sources of heating began to develop, capable of easily and quickly melting metal - an oxygen flame and an electric current.
Electric arc discharge
It should be noted that the opening of the electric arc discharge. It is on its use that the so-called arc welding is based. A significant role in creating this belongs to our compatriots - engineers and scientists. And in 1802, Vasily Vladimirovich Petrov, a Russian electrical engineer and scientist, discovered such a phenomenon as an arc discharge.
Eight decades later, Nikolai Nikolaevich Benardos used a carbon electrode in the process of arc welding. And after another six years - in 1888 - Nikolai Gavrilovich Slavyanov invented arc welding with a consumable metal electrode. In 1903, French engineers Charles Picard and Edmond Foucher discovered flame welding. In the early 1940s, another welding method appeared - submerged arc welding. And in the 80s of the last century, the study and application of gas laser welding began.
Welding production: characteristic
Today we can say with confidence: welding has literally supplanted the method of joining various parts with rivets. In Russia, various types of welding are used, such as:
- electroslag;
- thermal;
- automatic submerged arc;
- gas;
- gas press;
- light;
- diffusion;
- contact and many others.
Welding: definition, types
We bring to your attention the basics of welding production. First, let's answer the question - what is welding? Welding is usually called a process that allows you to get one-piece joints. This happens through the establishment of interatomic bonds between parts during deformation and heating.
That is, due to welding, it is possible to replace a rather heavy whole structure with a prefabricated structure, which consists of simple elements. Accordingly, this significantly reduces the cost of production and labor.
In the welding industry, it is customary to distinguish three main types of welding - contact welding, fusion and pressure welding. Let's consider these types in more detail.
Fusion welding
The most common method is electric arc welding. Of course, after this type was first used in welding in the 80s, everything changed significantly: the equipment became more sophisticated, as did the types of electrodes used. Both protection methods and methods of alloying (introducing various impurities into the metal) of the metal have changed.
Today, the arc process began to be combined with arcless welding. That is, it became possible to increase the power of the heating source.
contact welding
This type of welding in the welding industry combines the contact of metals and the supply of current, which causes heating. The main disadvantage of this type of welding is the formation of burr - an influx caused by metal shrinkage. This burr must be removed after the welded parts have cooled down.
Pressure welding
This type can be called a type of contact welding. With it, metal surfaces are subjected to pressure, which allows a reliable connection even without heating. What determines the quality of such a weld? There are a number of factors:
- surface preparation;
- efforts made;
- the ability of a metal to undergo deformation.
Prospects for welding and welding production
Experts say that in the near future various devices will take the leading positions - automatic and semi-automatic. These devices will be characterized by increased efficiency, increased number of current phases, high power. Automation of welding production will significantly reduce the requirements for the qualifications of a welder; for new equipment, the services of unique specialists will not be required; an ordinary specialist will be enough.