Carbon arc welding 3261427 209638343 2008-05-02T05:48:30Z OrphanBot 621721 Removing [[:Image:Carbon-arc-diagram.jpg|image]] with no copyright information. Such images that are older than seven days may be deleted at any time. '''Carbon Arc Welding''' ('''CAW''') is a process which produces coalescence of metals by heating them with an arc between a nonconsumable [[carbon]] ([[graphite]]) [[electrode]] and the work-piece. It was the first arc-welding process ever developed but is not used for many applications today, having been replaced by [[twin carbon arc welding]] and other variations. The purpose of arc welding is to form a bond between separate metals. In carbon arc welding a carbon electrode is used to produce an electric arc between the electrode and the materials being bonded. This arc produces extreme temperatures in excess of 30,000°C. At this temperature the separate metals form a bond and become welded together. == Development == {{main|Arc welding#Development}} CAW could not have been created if not for the discovery of the [[electric arc]] by [[Sir Humphry Davy]] in 1800. == Variations == * [[Twin carbon arc welding]] ('''TCAW''') in which the arc is established between two carbon electrodes * Gas carbon arc welding ('''CAW-G''') no longer has commercial significance. Other processes that use shielding gases have also replaced carbon arc welding such as ''tungsten-arc welding'' (GTAW, or TIG), ''plasma-arc welding'' (PAW), and ''atomic-hydrogen welding'' (AHAW). Each of these processes, including carbon arc welding, use a non consumable electrode. A filler metal is generally used to aid the bond in the workpieces. (Picture provided by Answers.com, http://www.answers.com/topic/carbon-arc-welding?cat=technology)<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:carbon-arc-diagram.jpg]] --> == References == * ''Welding handbook Volume 2, eighth edition.'' Library of Congress number: 90-085465 copyright 1991 by American Welding Society == External links == * [http://www.aws.org/ The American Welding Society] * [http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com/WeldingProcessNames.htm Commonly Used Welding Processes and their Abbreviation] &ndash; Welding Inspection Services website * [http://www.cwa-acs.org Canadian Welding Association] * [http://www.twi.co.uk/ The Welding Institute] * [http://www.key-to-steel.com/Articles/Art75.htm Welding Process] &ndash; Key to Steel (Online steel properties database) {{Metalworking - Welding}} {{industry-stub}} [[Category:Arc welding]]