What do we know about such a technological process as welding. All about welding, chronology of development.
What is welding
Welding is a technological process that is used in many fields of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, construction. At present, welding production, which has reached large scales, is a complex of production processes using welding equipment.
Welding is one of the foundations of civilization development. With the first acquaintance of man with metals, with the beginning of their application and processing, there was a need to repair metal objects.
First information about welding processes
Even in ancient times, to create integral structures from metal elements, various methods of connecting components were used. Then people just began to learn all about welding. Evidence – gold jewelry with elements of tin soldering, found during archaeological excavations of Egyptian pyramids and a transverse soldered seam on metal water pipes of Pompeii.
With the emergence of production with the manufacture of items by casting molten raw materials into a prepared container and its subsequent cooling, foundry welding appeared. A method was used in which parts that need to be connected were placed in molds, and their fusion site was filled with molten metal.
From ancient times, people used so-called “blacksmith welding”, where metal was first heated to a state of plasticity, and then the joints were fastened under a press. This work was carried out in furnaces. This welding technology for joining metals was one of the leading ones until the end of the 19th century.
The respect for masters who work with metal is great. The very word “welding” comes from the fusion of two Slavic mythological characters. The god Svarog – the patron of heavenly fire. Svarozhich, his son – the god of earthly fire.
Progress and development of welding processes
The beginning of the 20th century symbolizes the development of welding as the main production method of joining metal structures.
In 1903, an acetylene-oxygen welding torch was invented, which later became a reliable acetylene generator.
Later, scientists developed a new, efficient technological method of electric arc welding under flux. The application of this type of welding is diverse, but it received priority in bridge construction, shipbuilding, production of tanks, erection of metal structures.
From the forties, a tungsten electrode began to be used in welding production. used in argon-arc welding of metals and alloys.
A high level in welding was achieved in the 60s. Then several types of electrodes began to be used in electric welding. This process accelerates melting, improves operational dynamics.
The eighties of the 20th century marked a new step in the development of welding work – the development of gas laser cutting began.
At present, welding is the leading technological process of modern industry.