If you’re just getting into the stud welding world, there may be some terms thrown around that you’re unfamiliar with. When you break down each type of stud welding and the supplies and tools used, there are some nuances that will arise. Whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been in the stud welding game for years, you can find all your stud welding supplies and technical support with Northland Fastening Systems.
The basic terminology of stud welding can be broken into two categories of drawn arc stud welding and capacitor discharge (CD) stud welding. Within these two types of stud welding, there are variations to operations and specialized tools that can be used to get many effects.
Drawn Arc Stud Welding
- Drawn arc: These welding tools use both flux and a ceramic ferrule. The flux creates a clean weld zone as the tip of the gun makes contact with the surface material, and the ceramic ferrule contains the molten weld point to prevent splatter. Drawn arc welds using flux and a ferrule create the strongest stud bond.
- Gas arc: Gas arc welding replaces a ceramic ferrule with inert gas, and it typically does not use a flux to prepare the surface (though some gas arc weld processes still use a flux ball). Gas arcs are used commonly in automated welding operations where precision and speed limit the need for flux. This provides a quick, cost effective weld that saves labor because it does not require chipping off a ferrule when the weld is completed.
- Short arc: For operations using high currents and requiring fast weld times, short arc welding can be a reliable process. Short arc welds can tend to be weaker or more porous because they do not use flux or ferrule, but in the right application, they can be key.
CD Stud Welding
- Contact CD welding: This process places the tip of the stud against the weld surface while the weld occurs. The current vaporizes the tip of the stud and an arc is created between the stud and surface. This arc heats both stud and surface metals, and the molten components are connected.
- Gap CD welding: Gap welding is a faster process than contact welding. The tip of the stud is poised above the surface as the arc is formed and then pressed against the surface as both become molten.
If you are just starting out in the stud welding industry, you can use these terms as a base reference for areas you want to study or try as you learn and become a more professional welder. To learn more about the comprehensive stud welding supplies we provide, contact Northland Fastening Systems at (651) 730-7770. Request a quote online to get started with us today.