My name is Curtis Quananack i am from Salluit in the region of Nunavik north of Quebec, i've been in Tremplin DEC for three sessions. this glossary could be used by students who are gonna study to become a welder.
active flux
adjective
Active flux refers to a flux material that actively influences the chemistry of the weld deposit, typically by adding elements like manganese (Mn) and silicon (Si) to the molten metal.
Example: The activated flux in the A-TIG process constricts the arc, resulting in a deep and narrow weld bead at high welding speeds.
fr: flux actif
alloy
noun
An alloy is either the base metal being joined or, more commonly, a consumable filler metal used to fill the gap between two base metals.
Example: Welding alloy steels requires precise techniques to prevent cracking and achieve a strong, durable joint, as their complex compositions behave differently under heat.
fr: allier
alternating current
noun
Alternating current (AC) refers to an electric current that periodically reverses its direction and polarity, changing from positive to negative 120 times per second for a standard 60-hertz current.
Example: When TIG welding aluminum with an alternating current machine, the positive half-cycle breaks up the stubborn oxide layer, allowing the negative half-cycle to achieve good weld penetration.
fr: courant alternatif
amperage
noun
Amperage defines the amount and speed of electricity flowing through the arc. This electrical current strength directly controls the heat generated in the weld.
Example: Make sure you have the right amperage to get thr right temperature you need.
fr: intensité de courant
annealing
verb
Annealing is a post-weld heat treatment process that involves heating the welded material to a specific temperature, holding it there for a period, and then slowly cooling it to reduce internal stresses, improve ductility, and soften the metal.
Example: Ferritic and pearlitic malleable irons are both produced by annealing white iron of controlled composition.
fr: recuit
arc
noun
An arc is an electrical discharge of heat and light that forms an electrically conductive path, or plasma, through the air between two electrodes (an electrode and the base metal) when a sufficient voltage causes a dielectric breakdown in the gap.
Example: In arc welding, an electric arc between the work and an electrode melts metal to create a joint.
fr: arc
arc blow
noun
Arc Blow. The deflection of an electric arc from its normal path because of magnetic forces.
Example: Arc blow is a welding arc that uncontrollably moves or "blows" away from its intended path, causing the molten puddle to become erratic and leading to defects like poor fusion or porosity.
fr: soufflage d'arc
arc gouging
noun
Arc gouging, is a metal fabrication process that removes metal by melting it with a carbon arc and then using a stream of compressed air to blow the molten material away, creating a groove or cavity.
Example: The welder used arc gouging to remove the faulty weld from the thick steel plate before preparing it for the new weldment.
fr: gougeage à l'arc
arc length
noun
Arc length is the distance between the tip of the electrode and the surface of the workpiece (or weld puddle), which creates the electric arc that melts and fuses the metals.
Example: Maintaining the correct arc length, often described as a "normal" or "medium" arc, is crucial for quality welds, as improper length can lead to excessive spatter, poor penetration, and other defects.
fr: longueur de l'arc
arc Welding
verb
A technique in which metals are welded using the heat generated by an electric arc.
Example: Arc welding is a versatile welding process that uses electricity to create an intense heat, melting metals to join them together, making it essential in various industries.
fr: soudage à l'arc
automatic welding
noun
Automatic welding uses electronically controlled equipment to perform the entire welding operation with minimal or no human oversight or manual adjustment.
Example: H-P Products installed six automatic welding systems, including robotic arms, to increase production for new contracts with major automotive manufacturers, such as General Motors and Chrysler.
fr: soudage automatique
base metal
noun
The metal (material) to be welded, brazed, soldered, or cut.
Example: The base metal is the primary material of the workpiece that you are joining with a welding process and filler material. When welding two components, you would refer to these pieces of metal as the base metals.
fr: métal de base
bead
noun
A bead is the visible, raised line of metal deposited on the workpiece during a single pass of the torch or electrode, created by melting filler material to fuse two or more pieces of metal.
Example: He practiced laying a consistent bead until he achieved the uniform appearance of a professional weld.
fr: perler
brazing
verb
Brazing is a metal-joining process that uses a filler metal with a lower melting point than the base metals to create a permanent joint. Unlike welding, where the base metals melt and join together, in brazing, only the filler metal melts and flows between the parts by capillary action, forming a strong, load-bearing bond without melting the base materials.
Example: Instead of attempting to join copper to steel with welding, which is difficult due to their different melting points, we will braze them using a filler metal that melts at a lower temperature, creating a strong bond without altering the base metals significantly.
fr: brasage
case hardening
verb
A heat treatment method that involves altering the surface of a metal to create a thin, hard layer while the core remains tough and ductile.
Example: To achieve maximum lifespan and load-bearing capacity, the shaft is case-hardened, and then welded to a more brittle but specialized component, creating a hybrid part that offers benefits from both treatments.
fr: cémentation
coated electrode
noun
A coated electrode is a consumable metal core wire with a thick, applied covering, primarily used in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or "stick welding.
Example: The welder selected a specific coated electrode designed for high-strength steel, ensuring proper filler material and arc stability for the critical structural weld.
fr: électrode enrobée
cutting torch
noun
A cutting torch uses a high-temperature flame from burning fuel gas and oxygen to preheat metal to its red-hot temperature. Then, a lever or trigger releases a pure, high-pressure stream of oxygen that blows away the molten metal, oxidizing the metal to create a cut.
Example: The welder used a cutting torch to precisely cut through the thick steel beams for the construction project.
fr: chalumeau coupant
electrode
noun
An electrode is a metal wire or rod, sometimes coated, that creates an electric arc to melt and fuse base metals.
Example: The diameter of the welding electrode significantly impacts the arc, heat, and welding speed for thicker materials.
fr: électrode
filler material
noun
Filler material, also called a filler metal, is a metal (alloy or unalloyed) added to the space between base metals during the joining process.
Example: For stainless steel, you would use an ER308LSi filler metal to achieve a strong and aesthetically pleasing joint.
fr: matériau de remplissage
shielding gas
noun
Shielding gas is an inert or semi-inert gas that is directed around the molten weld pool to protect it from atmospheric contamination by gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor.
Example: Using argon as a shielding gas, the MIG welder protected the molten weld pool from atmospheric contaminants to prevent porosity.
fr: gaz de protection
slag
noun
Slag is a nonmetallic, solidified byproduct formed when flux melts and reacts with impurities during processes like stick welding (SMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and submerged arc welding (SAW), leaving a hardened layer on the weld bead that must be removed.
Example: After the welding pass, the slag had to be chipped off before the next layer could be applied.
fr: scories
spatter
noun
Spatter refers to the small, molten metal droplets that are forcefully ejected from the weld pool or welding wire and land on nearby surfaces, creating a messy, unsightly appearance.
Example: After adjusting the settings, the welder reduced the excessive spatter on the base metal, resulting in a cleaner and more refined weld bead.
fr: projections de soudure
spot weld
verb
Spot welding is an electric resistance welding process that joins overlapping pieces of sheet metal by applying high pressure through electrodes and passing an electric current through the metal.
Example: The sheet metal was joined to the frame using several small spot welds, creating a strong, fastener-free surface.
fr: soudure par points
weld
verb
Join together (metal pieces or parts) by heating the surfaces to the point of melting using a blowtorch, electric arc, or other means, and uniting them by pressing, hammering.
