There is a tremendous importance of welding in engineering, there are even such things as welding engineers ( I am one). Welding is what holds the majority of structures together--bridges, cars, tractors, cranes, buildings, etc...If any engineer does not have a good understand of this very popular joining process major problems can exist, such as failures from designing a joint that is un-weldable. Most companies these days are trying to hire welding engineers to help with these problems. Welding can get very specialized with more technical metals and applications.
Many problems can be experienced in welding including cracks, infusions and distortion. Generally these can be avoided by eliminating hydrogen, keeping temperature under control and controlling the atmospheric pressure of the environment.
Welding Electrorodes or Welding Rods are used in arc welding. Arc welding is a special type of welding which uses a welding power supply to create an electric arc between the base material (e.g. steel) and the electrode. The Welding Ectrorodes can be used for all weldable aluminum and mild steel.
Almost all welding today is done with electricity (Arc Welding) even on cast iron. SMAW, GTAW, GMAW etc. --AW means Arc Welding.
Thermite welding is all about using thermite for welding steel or iron. Thermite is actually a mixture of iron oxide and powdered aluminum.
All depends if you are right handed or left handed.
Larger in Gas Welding. In all arc processes the HAZ is concentrated in a couple inches around your bead. In gas welding it can be double or triple that size.
For all intents and purposes , if you don't melt the base metal you are not welding. So I guess the answer is "all of them"
The Welding Depot is one of, if not the best. They have all the welding supply you could possibly need. Grainger makes some of the best welding products around, so I'd say they have to be the best welding supply company on the internet.
Welding machine companies are important, because welding machine manufacturers like Artech Welders, Dynarc Systems, Crystal Electrodynamix are provides all types of welding machines for various business firms.
Palomar College, in San Marcos, Ca, has a welding certification program. According to education-portal.com, it has the largest welding program in all of San Diego county.
WPS is welding procedure specification while PQR is procedure qualification records is all about welding and denotes design when it comes to WPS and Mechanical testing of the design when it comes to PQR. WPS is the design of welding joint, process of welding, welding position, steel shape and material symmetry, speed of welding, welding electrodes and filler and many more welding parameters while PQR is a complimentary to WPS. PQR will be the one to be tested mechanically and will finally validate if the WPS viable design of welding.