Welding Encyclopedia

Understanding Welding Terms, Processes & Definitions

An unrecognizable industrial metalworker makes sparks fly and smoke as he welds steel
Understanding Welding Terms, Processes & Definitions

Welcome to the WeldCor Welding Encyclopedia - your quick-reference guide to the most commonly used welding terms, filler metal types, and process definitions. Whether you’re new to the trade or looking to brush up on terminology, this section is built to help you understand the language of welding.

So, what does welding mean?

In short, welding is the process of joining materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing fusion - often using heat, pressure, or both, with or without filler metal.

Common Welding Terms Explained

Here are just a few examples of what you'll find inside our glossary:
Hardfacing
A welding process used to deposit wear-resistant materials onto metal surfaces to extend service life.
Hardbanding
A specific hardfacing application typically used in oilfield or mining drill strings to reduce wear and extend tool joint life.
Shielding Gas
A gas used to protect the weld pool from atmospheric contamination (commonly argon, CO₂, or mixtures).
Fusion Line
The boundary between the base metal and the weld metal where melting and bonding occur.
Filler Metal
The additional metal that’s introduced during welding to create the weld joint, available in rods, wire, or electrodes.

Explore these terms in action across our PRODUCTS and TECHNICAL INFO pages.

More Knowledge. Better Welds.

We’re continuously adding to this welding term encyclopedia to better serve welders, engineers, and buyers who want to make informed decisions.

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Glossary of Terms

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