Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also
known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux shielded arc welding or
informally as stick welding, is a manual arc welding process that uses a
consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld.
An electric current, in the form of either alternating
current or direct current from a welding power supply, is used to form an electric
arc between the electrode and the metals to be joined. The workpiece and the
electrode melts forming the weld pool that cools to form a joint. As the weld
is laid, the flux coating of the electrode disintegrates, giving off vapors
that serve as a shielding gas and providing a layer of slag, both of which
protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination.
Because of the versatility of the process
and the simplicity of its equipment and operation, shielded metal arc welding
is one of the world's first and most popular welding processes. It dominates
other welding processes in the maintenance and repair industry, and though flux-cored
arc welding is growing in popularity, SMAW continues to be used extensively in
the construction of heavy steel structures and in industrial fabrication. The
process is used primarily to weld iron and steels (including stainless steel)
but aluminium, nickel and copper alloys can also be welded with this method.
Tungsten welding wire can be used as
welding core wire in SMAW. The diameters of this kind of wire range a lot, but
mostly are packed in rolls.
Further information, please contact sales@chinatungsten.com for more
tungsten products, besides tungsten welding wire.