Non-Ferrous Metals

weld

A mix of metals that joins at least two separate parts. Welds can be produced by applying heat, or pressure, or both heat and pressure, and they may or may not use an additional filler metal.

silicon

A nonmetallic element often found in sand and used to make glass. High amounts of silicon in a weld metal can cause cracking.

copper

A reddish metal that is very ductile, thermally and electrically conductive, and corrosive resistant. Copper is often used to make electrical wire.

titanium

A silver-gray, strong, but lightweight metal known for its corrosion resistance. Titanium is often used in the aerospace industry.

aluminum

A silver-white metal that is soft, light, and conductive.

tin

A silver-white, soft metal used in many alloys. Tin is often used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.

lead

A soft, heavy, toxic metallic element. Lead is often used in gasoline.

supersaturated solution

A solution that is completely filled with alloying elements.

gauge

A standard of measure used to determine a specific thickness of sheet metal.

filler metal

A type of metal sometimes added to the joint in fusion welding. Filler metal adds to the strength and mass of the welded joint.

tack weld

A weld made to hold the parts of a weld in proper alignment before the final welds are made. Tack welds are also used to aid in preheating.

heat-treatable alloy

Alloys that can be heated after welding to restore their strength properties.

nonheat-treatable alloy

Alloys that rely primarily on cold working to increase their strength properties.

copper-lead alloy

An alloy containing copper and lead, which has the poorest weldability because the toxic lead often contaminates the weld.

copper-tin alloy

An alloy containing copper and tin, which is the most weldable of the copper alloys. Tin adds strength and hardness to copper. Copper-tin alloys are also known as bronze.

copper-zinc alloy

An alloy containing copper and zinc, which has poor weldability and tends to give off offensive fumes. Copper-zinc alloys are also known as brass.

wrought nickel alloy

An alloy containing nickel that has been bent, hammered, or physically formed into a desired shape. Wrought nickel alloys are often welded under the same conditions as certain types of steel.

cast nickel alloy

An alloy containing nickel that has been poured as a liquid into a mold and cooled into a solid shape. Cast nickel alloys are often difficult to weld because of their high silicon content.

bronze

An alloy of copper and tin. Bronze is the most weldable of the copper alloys.

brass

An alloy of copper and zinc. Brass has poor weldability.

burnthrough

Excessive melt through or a hole in the base metal. Extremely high welding temperatures can cause burnthrough.

weave

Movement of the electrode in a back and forth motion to deposit weld metal into a joint.

base metal

One of the two or more metals to be welded together to form a joint.

austenitic stainless steel

Stainless steel with very high strength, as well as excellent ductility and toughness. Austenitic stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

weldability

The ability of a material to be welded under imposed conditions into a specific, suitable structure and to perform satisfactorily for its intended use.

preheating

The application of heat to a base metal immediately before welding. Preheating helps reduce hardness in the metal.

post heating

The application of heat to the weld immediately after welding. Post heating helps reduce stress in the weld metal.

heat treatment

The controlled heating and cooling processes used to change the structure of a material and alter its physical and mechanical properties.

recrystallization

The formation of a new grain structure. Recrystallization is often the result of annealing.

thermal expansion

The increase in the dimensions of a metal due to an increase in its temperature.

joint

The meeting point of the two materials that are joined together. Welding creates a permanent joint.

heat-affected zone

The portion of the base metal that has not been melted, but its mechanical properties have been altered by the heat of welding.

galvanizing

The process of adding a zinc coating to steel. Galvanized steel is used to manufacture car parts, building frames, and ducting.

precipitation hardening

The process of heating to a temperature at which certain elements precipitate, forming a harder structure, and then cooling at a rate to prevent return to the original structure.

mechanical properties

The properties that describe a material's ability to compress, stretch, bend, scratch, dent, or break.

physical properties

The properties that describe a metal's ability to melt, emit heat, conduct electricity, and expand or shrink.

thermal conductivity

The rate at which heat flows through metal.

grain structure

The relationship between the small, individual crystals in a metal or alloy.

precipitate

The separation of elements from a type of solution. Elements that precipitate out of a solution change a metal's properties.

cold working

The shaping of metal at temperatures substantially below the point of recrystallization. Cold working adds strength and hardness.

annealing

The steady heating of a metal at a certain temperature followed by a gradual cooling process. Annealing is often used when welding nonferrous metals.

boiling point

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor. The boiling point of zinc is below the melting temperature of most steels.

melting temperature

The temperature necessary to change a metal from solid to a liquid. Also known as melting point.

grinding

The use of an abrasive to wear away at the surface of a workpiece.

steel

A metal consisting of iron and carbon, usually with small amounts of other elements. Steel is the most common manufacturing metal.

ferrous metal

A metal that contains iron. Steel is the most popular ferrous metal.

nonferrous metal

A metal that does not contain iron. Aluminum and copper are common nonferrous metals.

ductility

A metal's ability to be drawn, stretched, or formed without breaking.

electrical conductivity

A metal's ability to conduct an electrical current.

corrosion resistance

A metal's ability to resist attack by other elements and chemicals.

tensile strength

A metal's ability to resist forces that attempt to pull it apart or stretch it.

compressive strength

A metal's ability to resist forces that attempt to squeeze or crush it.

yield strength

A metal's ability to resist gradual progressive force without permanent deformation.

hardness

A metal's ability to resist indentation, penetration, and scratching. The heat from welding may change a metal's hardness.

strength

A metal's ability to resist outside forces that are trying to break or deform the metal.

toughness

A metal's ability to withstand a sharp blow.

alloy

A metal consisting of a mixture of two or more materials. One of these materials must be a metal.

zinc

A bluish white metal that is corrosive resistant and has a relatively low melting point. Zinc is often used as a coating on steel.

properties

A characteristic of a material that distinguishes it from other materials.

aluminum oxide

A chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen, which forms a thin layer on the surface of aluminum when exposed to air. Aluminum oxides should be removed before welding.

argon

A colorless, odorless type of inert gas. Argon is commonly used as shielding gas.

electrode

A device that conducts electricity. In arc welding, the electrode also can act as the filler metal.

gas torch

A device that emits heat in the form of a gas. Gas torches are used to preheat base metals.

cracking

A fracture that develops in the weld after solidification is complete. Welds with high hardness can cause cracking.

arc welding

A fusion welding process that uses electricity to generate the heat needed to melt the base metals.

magnesium

A grayish white, extremely light metal that is also brittle and has poor wear resistance.

nickel

A hard, malleable, silvery white metal used in various alloys to add strength, toughness, and impact resistance to metals.

solution heat treating

A heat treatment method used to heat an alloy to a specific temperature for a certain period of time to allow one or more alloy elements to dissolve in a solid solution and then cool rapidly.