04 September, 24 8:39 am ·Leave a comment·
Glorious Hightower
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Wondering what options fabricators and manufacturers across North America can leverage to overcome the challenges they face related to meeting production demands, maintaining consistent weld quality and coping with skilled welder shortages? Check out this insightful discussion among Will Healy III, Global Industry Manager for Welding at Universal Robots, Joe Holloway, VP – Automation at Red-D-Arc and Colin McOdrum, Automation Welding Specialist at Red-D-Arc to find out about the unique advantages of the Red-D-Arc BotX™ XSR cobot welding system and how deploying cobots for welding applications can increase productivity and drive consistency.
Watch the full webinar to learn how the BotX XSR from Red-D-Arc can help you scale up your production capacity.
Red-D-Arc helps fabricators defeat their challenges with the BotX cobot welding system. Addressing the skilled labor shortage through intuitive automated collaborative welding tools, the latest system, BotX XSR, provides advanced welding capabilities, process optimization expertise and fast support through an easy-to-use app. Additionally, the on-demand and flexible model of short-term or long-term rentals, equipment leases and system purchase programs allow customers to quickly scale up – or down – their production capacity to align with current business needs without making a major capital investment.
Contact us to get in touch with a BotX specialist today.
Few industries use more precision and cleanliness than the metal fabrication sector. Clean room applications in an electronics or pharmaceutical production setting might need more manufacturing fidelity, but it is close.
Fabrication environments rely on contaminant-free processing and clean and pure workpieces. Metal fabrication also requires exact measurements and tight tolerances, where the smallest error can result in a costly mistake.
If a fabrication shop is serious about its non-abrasive parts cleaning routine, it must examine dry ice blasting closely.
Come check out our large selection of used welding equipment. Red-D-Arc is hosting in-store sales events where you can take advantage of special event pricing on quality used welding equipment, including:
Inverters
Wire feeders
Engine-driven welders
Automation equipment
Stop by one of our upcoming events!
Grimsby, ON September 17-18 8:00am – 4:30pm Red-D-Arc 667 South Service Rd. Grimsby, ON L3M 4G1
Montreal, QC September 25-26 8:00am – 5:00pm Red-D-Arc 2181, rue Nobel Sainte-Julie, QC J3E 1Z9
Can’t make it to the event, but want to get in touch with us about purchasing used welding equipment? Contact us now.
*Welding equipment selection varies at each location. Offer good while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply. See store associate for details.
Come check out our large selection of used welding equipment. Red-D-Arc is hosting in-store sales events where you can take advantage of special event pricing on quality used welding equipment, including:
As hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters bring severe conditions to various areas, it’s best to prepare as much as you can. The Red-D-Arc power generation team can help you keep your business running with industrial generators and distribution panels. Our generator specialists are ready to work with you to develop a contingency plan so that you have the backup power you need in the event of a storm or fire.
You don’t have to wait for your power to go out to prepare. Red-D-Arc has everything you need to stay powered on. We offer:
Towable diesel engine-driven power generators
Portable power distribution panels
Cables
Accessories
Get in touch with us to develop your contingency plan.
Also, don’t forget that we still have a variety of used diesel generators*, ranging from 65kVA to 300kVA, and distribution equipment in inventory that are ready to be sold. Exact specifications and age of each generator varies. For more information or to inquire about specific availability, contact us now.
*Used generators are sold as is and not eligible for coverage under the standard Red-D-Arc used equipment warranty.
The AWS Welding Summit 2024 takes place on August 7-9 in The Woodlands, Texas. Each year, professionals from varying backgrounds and representing different segments of the industry gather at the conference to share their ideas, expertise, and perspectives on a broad range of topics including emerging trends in welding.
Come See Red-D-Arc at the 2024 Welding Summit
Red-D-Arc is a leader in welding and welding-related equipment solutions. With more than 50 locations in the United States and Canada, along with a strong network of North American distributors, Red-D-Arc has an equipment fleet that includes more than 45,000 units.
Come see the Red-D-Arc team in Exhibit #54 and talk to us about our comprehensive equipment offer, including welding and heating equipment, available for rent, lease and purchase.
Don’t miss two chances to hear from Red-D-Arc expert, Lori Kuiper
On August 9, Director of Specialty Products, Lori Kuiper will deliver the closing keynote, discussing the journey from apprentice to welding engineer. She will also share a few of the ways that she is making an impact in the welding industry. Additionally, Lori will also join Monica Pfarr (AWS), Shanen Aranmor (Weld Like A Girl), Mary Jo Emrick (University of Texas at Austin), Haley Satterwhite-Day (PECI), and Welding Artist, Sarah Stork for the “Do I Have to Wear Pink?” panel discussion — a powerful discussion on women in welding. The group will offer their insights about the welding industry, how they’ve navigated their professional journeys, and give their thoughts on why women’s PPE doesn’t have to just be pink.
Can’t make it to the conference, but interested in talking to us about welding equipment and process expertise for your business? Contact us to connect with a Red-D-Arc expert.
Find the right automation solution to implement into your current operation and increase productivity. Red-D-Arc has an expansive offer of positioners, manipulators and turning rolls designed to meet a variety of project requirements available for rent, lease and purchase. From standard equipment to custom-designed, complete turnkey automation packages, our team of engineers and welding professionals can provide weld process recommendations, equipment installation support and on-site training.
Positioners Red-D-Arc supplies a wide range of welding positioners, ideal for increased safety and efficiency.
Manipulators Welding manipulators are used to maximize the quality and efficiency of welding tasks, achieving more consistency than even a highly skilled welder, especially on repetitive welding tasks.
Turning Rolls Red-D-Arc offers turning rolls to accommodate the rotation of pipes, pressure vessels and tanks of varying diameters and weights safely and with less worker fatigue.
Watch the video to learn more about our equipment offer and contact the Red-D-Arc team to get in touch with one of our experts to discuss your automation needs today.
When MWI Pumps was looking for a robotic welding solution to support their production demands, they considered multiple options, but ultimately decided to give the BotX™ cobot welding system from Red-D-Arc a try. Intrigued by the prospect of the system being up and running within just a few hours and having access to the support of local welding specialists, the team was a little hesitant to believe it could be as easy as they’d heard, but they were pleasantly surprised by the results. And, it turns out that they got even more than what they had expected. On the day that their BotX was being installed, Red-D-Arc brought a member of its parent company Airgas’ Advanced Fabrication team along to visit MWI Pumps’ site in Deerfield Beach, FL. That meeting resulted in a much deeper collaboration between the Red-D-Arc, Airgas and MWI Pumps team — one that has offered additional products and services that have delivered tremendous value to MWI Pumps’ operations.
Several members of the MWI Pumps team shared their thoughts on collaborating with Red-D-Arc and Airgas, and how the experience has impacted their business. Kris Rahall, Application Engineer/Welding Supervisor for MWI Pumps, estimated that the company has seen a 33% increase in productivity and saved 446 hours in manufacturing time on 128 water tanks which equates to nearly 3.5 hours per tank! The company has also improved its weld quality, resulting in fewer repairs and less rework. Overall, it’s been a relationship that’s proven its value and demonstrated that Red-D-Arc and Airgas are committed to working with manufacturers to help them find ways to be more competitive. As MWI Pumps Vice President Daren Eller put it, “The support I’ve received from Red-D-Arc and Airgas — they’re here whenever we need them to be. Once you realize their expertise and the knowledge that they have, and they’re there to help, there shouldn’t be any hesitation at all.”
MWI Pumps is an industrial water pump manufacturer that specializes in crafting high-efficiency water pumps, serving global clients in diverse applications.
Watch the video to hear the full story about why MWI Pumps trusts Red-D-Arc and Airgas to help them develop solutions that increase their profitability and efficiency.
Red-D-Arc supports manufacturers by helping them to optimize their processes and maintain their production schedules with equipment and solutions to meet their needs. With a comprehensive portfolio of welding and welding automation equipment plus heat treating equipment, generators and dry ice blasting equipment available for rent, lease and purchase, Red-D-Arc has everything you need to get the job done. Contact us to get started with finding the right equipment to meet your production needs.
Red-D-Arc now offers the Ranger® Air 260MPX™ multi-function engine drive multi-process welder for lease. Designed for the operator who faces the unexpected every day, this welder is extremely versatile with five key functionalities in one compact unit:
Air compressor
Generator
Battery jump assist
Battery charge
Multi-process welder
With its compact design, digital user interface and advanced technology, the Ranger Air 260MPX is a great choice to tackle any job.
Service and Expertise to Help You Select the Right Welding Equipment
Red-D-Arc ensures you have the equipment you need—when and where you need it. In addition to supplying welding equipment, our team of specialists seeks to understand the details of your project and works with you to recommend the best equipment for your job. We know that every minute counts when you’re working on a jobsite or in the shop, so we strive to provide the best possible service to support your needs.
Secure Your Equipment with the Red-D-Arc Logistics Lease Program
The Logistics Lease program is an equipment leasing program, exclusively offered through Red-D-Arc, that eliminates the hassle and expense of maintaining company-owned equipment. With this 36-month program, you can secure new equipment without spending capital funds. From helping to manage your equipment to providing recommendations designed to improve efficiency and productivity, the Logistics Lease program is a great choice to meet your current business needs and support you as your business continues to expand. Plus, you can upgrade every 36 months so you always have the latest, most technologically advanced equipment. Your equipment is also covered under full manufacturer warranty, meaning any machine requiring service or repair will be exchanged with a loaner free of charge so you avoid costly repairs and downtime.
To discuss leasing the Ranger® Air 260MPX™ from Red-D-Arc, contact us today.
Welding helmets are a crucial aspect of personal protective equipment for any welding operator. They protect from the intense glare and eyesight-damaging light from a welding arc, fumes from the welding operation itself, stray sparks that can burn, and so much more. They’re an essential part of any welder’s kit, and they’re a purchase that can last for decades if well-maintained, so it’s important to put some thought into which helmet you’re buying.
So, what should you look for? What factors should you evaluate when you’re exploring welding helmets? Here’s our guide. While there’s a lot to consider, one thing is certain: you need a helmet whenever you’re welding. The only possible exception is if you’re using CNC welding machines, and they’re enclosed in their own darkening shades. Even then, it can be beneficial to keep a helmet on hand.
Welding is a career full of challenges. Some of those challenges involve building up a stable client base and consistent work; others involve learning the technical skills of the trade. When you encounter a new metal or a metal you aren’t necessarily familiar with, you need to learn how to weld it properly – if it can even be welded in the first place – if you want to handle it effectively. One such material you may or may not have ever encountered is weathering steel.
What is weathering steel, how does it differ from regular steel, when might you encounter it, and how can you weld it? Let’s dig into the details.
What is Weathering Steel?
Steel is a fantastic material for construction. It’s very strong and has a good amount of resilience to all kinds of stress, and while it’s very heavy, it’s also very cheap, so it’s frequently used in everything from building frames to bridges to automotive construction.
One of the biggest problems with steel, however, is that it’s largely based on iron (usually with some carbon thrown in) and, as we all know, iron is susceptible to oxidation. When exposed to the elements, like the oxygen in the air and in water and moisture, steel rusts. That rusting and corrosion will eventually degrade the material until it’s no longer structurally sound, and that is what we in the industry call “a problem.”
There are many different ways to protect steel from corrosion. A common method is to paint or grease it, coating it with a material that forms a barrier between the steel and atmospheric moisture and oxygen. Steel can also be galvanized or anodized, forming a similar coating but with more of a chemical reaction instead of just a surface layer.
The biggest drawback of these methods is that if there’s a gap or damage to the coating, it will rust through. They need to be well-maintained and continually inspected, lest they suffer enough damage to catastrophically fail.
To solve this issue, materials engineers turned to another metal commonly used around the world: copper.
Copper is also susceptible to oxygen. Whenever you see a copper construction with a green tint, that’s copper oxide forming a patina over the surface of the copper. Unlike steel, though, this patina doesn’t continue to corrode. Instead, it forms a naturally protective shell around the copper. This shell inhibits most of the further corrosion, and if the patina is damaged, it “self-heals” by forming more patina in the gap.
Engineers asked: what if we could make steel do the same thing? Through development nearly a century ago, a material was created out of steel and various alloyed metals, including copper, chromium, silicon, and phosphorus. The result is a form of steel that has essentially all of the material properties of low-carbon steel, except instead of rusting like normal steel, it forms a brown patina that serves as a protective coating.
This material was originally developed and patented in 1933 under the name Cor-Ten, which stands for Corrosion Resistance and Tensile Strength. Cor-Ten, also commonly referred to as Corten steel, was eventually standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials, making it broadly available for widespread use, which is why, today, you may encounter it and the need to weld it.
When is Weathering Steel Used?
Because of its natural resistance to corrosion and its mildly self-healing properties, weathering steel is most often used in places where it will be exposed to the elements but where regular inspection and maintenance are often sidelined. You frequently see it in engineering and architecture, particularly as exposed and decorative elements, in sculpture, for roofs and walls, and various utility designs like planters, bicycle corrals or hoops, and tree grilles. It’s also frequently used in marine transportation, and you see it frequently as the structural material for short, often pedestrian bridges over rivers and streams.
Overall, it’s valuable for any case where you need a steel structure that is robust and strong, while also benefitting from both a longer maintenance and upkeep schedule and potentially the handsome uniform orange/brown appearance. It’s frequently seen in nature parks where the brown blends nicely with surrounding trees.
Three potential drawbacks limit the places where weathering steel can be used.
It needs to get wet and then dry out for the patina to form, so in areas where it rarely gets wet, like deserts, it remains less protected from the elements.
It needs to get wet and then dry out for the patina to form, so in areas where it never dries out (like coastlines or underwater), it never dries enough to form the patina.
It’s very susceptible to salt, so it should not be used on seashores where saltwater air can accelerate corrosion, or near roads where winter snowmelt can corrode it further.
The corrosion can also drip off of the material, which can stain surrounding concrete and other surfaces, which isn’t a structural concern but can be an aesthetic concern.
ASTM has several specifications for variations of weathering steel, including A588, A242, A606-4, A847, A871-65, and A709-50W. These include forms like steel panels and sheets, thick plates, tubes, pipes, coils, and more. It’s divided into grades A and B, where B is generally more suitable for load-bearing uses.
How Can You Identify Weathering Steel?
The only true way to identify Corten or weathering steel is by metallurgic testing. However, you can generally tell at a glance if a piece of steel is likely to be weathering steel based on its distinct color and uniform appearance.
If you have a welding specifications document for your project, it should identify the material as well.
Can You Weld Weathering Steel?
Yes. In fact, welding weathering steel is the primary way it is attached to itself for various constructions. Done properly, weathering steel can be welded in an almost seamless and smooth fashion that provides a strong and enduring joint.
One primary consideration is preparation. Since the primary benefit of weathering steel is the formation of a patina, that patina is likely to have formed on the materials you’re working with before you begin working. However, as any experienced welder knows, one of the worst things you can do when welding is try to weld a rusty piece of steel. That rust, if not cleaned off, can form inclusions that damage and compromise the finished product. Therefore, you need to clean the area of the weld thoroughly before you weld it, usually with grinding.
What Process is Best for Welding Weathering Steel?
Since weathering steel is essentially just a low-carbon steel alloy, it can be welded using virtually any process. However, as you likely have guessed, some processes work better and provide longer-lasting welds than others.
That said, 90% of the time, you’re going to want to use MIG for welding weathering steel. It needs to be handled properly, but that’s true of any welding. TIG welds on weathering steel tend to fail prematurely, and stick doesn’t provide benefits over MIG that make it worth using unless you’re somehow very uncomfortable with MIG welding.
What Filler Should You Use on Weathering Steel?
The choice of filler depends heavily on the purpose of the joint. First, start by considering the following factors.
Are there any specifications from a WPS or building code that need to be followed?
What are the strength and toughness requirements of the finished product?
Where will the weld be located (indoor versus outdoor, exposed or not, etc.)
Will the joint be painted or otherwise coated?
What is the geometry of the joint, and how big will it be?
Do you have aesthetic concerns regarding the color matching of the joint?
The interplay of these factors will determine what kind of filler material you should use for your joint.
The first possibility is carbon steel fillers such as AWS E7018, ER70S, or E70C-6M. These are most useful when you need a weld that is performed in a single pass, with a small or lower-strength grade of weathering steel. The resulting weld will be a little weaker than it could be, but cheaper. Moreover, the low-carbon steel filler mixes very well with the weathering steel and picks up the alloying elements, allowing the joint to maintain a similar level of corrosion resistance as the base materials themselves.
The second possibility is a low alloy filler metal. These come in a variety of forms based on their alloy materials but are, in general, best used when you have higher requirements for strength, corrosion resistance, or other mechanical properties. When you’re performing a weld that uses large or multi-pass welding techniques, the base metal doesn’t dilute into the filler metal as much. This means that if you use carbon steel filler for a large weld, it won’t have the same corrosion resistance and will be more susceptible to damage. It would need to be painted or coated in another way to stay solid alongside the weathering steel base.
Nickel-based low alloys are useful for providing atmospheric corrosion resistance on par with that of weathering steel. These can be useful when corrosion is the primary concern.
High nickel alloys can be used for certain applications where toughness is more required, but the cost of a higher nickel alloy can make it prohibitive for certain projects.
Copper-Nickel-Chromium alloy fillers are very similar to weathering steel and even tend to be indicated with a W designator. They are, however, not prized for structural use or for corrosion resistance but rather for color matching with weathering steel. If you don’t want the joints of your project to be visible over time, this kind of filler is a better option.
Another option, recently developed, is to use proprietary filler metals. For example, Central Steel Service developed and released a product called Cor-Match, which is a series of welding filler materials designed to be as close a match to Corten steel as possible. They are designed to be low-alloy steel fillers meant specifically for weathering steel purposes.
Are There Other Concerns for Welding Weathering Steel?
Potentially. Depending on the filler you’re using and the process, the weld shape, and design, you may have to restrict yourself to a flat and horizontal weld procedure. This means you may need welding positioners to hold your workpieces in position, which may or may not be possible, depending on the construction.
Another consideration is preheating. You generally don’t need to preheat weathering steel when you’re welding it unless it’s particularly thick weathering steel pieces that need to be joined. The thicker the material, the more likely you need to preheat it to prevent the temperature differential from cracking the piece as it cools. This can also vary between different kinds of weathering steel.
You may also need to consider a post-treatment for the weld joint. Weathering steel protects itself from the environment by forming a patina, but a joint needs to be prepared for welding by removing that patina to avoid inclusions and faulty welds. So, when the weld is done, you have an exposed joint. This will naturally form a patina over time, but before it does, it may look displeasing or not meet aesthetic demands. Certain post-treatments can accelerate the formation of the patina.
Whatever your considerations, one thing is always true: in order to weld any material, from mild steel to weathering steel to aluminum and more, you need the right kind of welding gear. If you don’t have a good welder and the right tools and PPE, you aren’t going to be able to weld appropriately.
That’s where we come in. At Red-D-Arc, we provide rental welding equipment for a fraction of the cost of buying new. You can rent a machine for one-off projects or rent a machine for full duty until you determine if it’s the kind of machine you want. If it suits your needs, keep renting it, or buy a used one from our store; if it’s not suitable, return it and try something else. And, of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out; our welding experts can guide you and answer any questions you may have.
If you’re looking for an automation solution for welding pipes and other heavy parts of various sizes, take a look at the Red-D-Arc Port-A-Weld System (PWS). With the PWS, you can increase worker productivity and improve weld quality while decreasing operator errors, fatigue and labor costs.
The PWS is a great fit for welding pipes and heavy parts of various sizes, especially in the oil and gas market, because the system allows for 360-degree rotation and has multiple positioning functions that are managed by a single control. Additionally, it’s easy to set up and operate, fully customizable, and can be integrated with other systems to create a turnkey welding solution that meets your specific needs.
Contact the Red-D-Arc team to get in touch with one of our experts to discuss the Port-A-Weld System and to find out about options to rent, lease or purchase a system today.
FABTECH Canada is returning to Toronto this summer! The semi-annual trade show is Canada’s most comprehensive metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event and will take place from June 11 to 13, 2024.
In addition to product exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, FABTECH Canada offers the opportunity for attendees to engage in conference programs, panels, keynote presentations and networking events all while connecting with industry experts, key manufacturers, suppliers, educators and other professionals.
If you’re looking to explore the latest technology, discover top industry trends and hear about ways to optimize your processes, you don’t want to miss this.
Visit Red-D-Arc at FABTECH Canada
Red-D-Arc is a leader in welding and weld automation equipment solutions. Our products and services are used in a variety of industries, including construction, fabrication, and shipbuilding.
You can find Red-D-Arc in the Air Liquide exhibit at FABTECH Canada—Exhibit #11040—where you can get an up-close look at our automation and heating equipment solutions:
Additionally, our experts will be on hand to discuss all of your welding and automation challenges, and provide insights into the latest industry trends.
Everything in life degrades over time. Even the things we think about sturdy and permanent are subject to the elemental forces of friction, oxidization, and water. As welders, we subject metals to stresses they never otherwise undergo, like fusing multiple pieces into one, cutting them apart, and more. No matter how well-fused a joint is, the enemy of metal is corrosion.
Handling corrosion, both before and after welding, is important. Let’s talk about it in detail.
What is Corrosion?
Corrosion is the degradation of a material. It’s a kind of electrochemical reaction that starts on the surface of a material and spreads like a disease. In metals, corrosion is usually caused by oxygen, which can easily pull electrons from the metal atoms, creating an oxide. One of the most familiar oxides you’ve encountered is iron oxide, which is rust.
Other kinds of corrosion can happen. To give you an example, it’s recommended to never connect an iron pipe to a copper pipe directly in plumbing. This is because the two metals react in electrolytic corrosion, which will degrade and eventually eat through them very.
In some cases, corrosion isn’t endlessly damaging. The Statue of Liberty, famously made of copper and coated in the iconic green patina, is a form of corrosion. But, copper, when it develops a patina, is protected from the features by that coating, and it halts further corrosion. Internally, though, the Statue of Liberty was subject to galvanic corrosion between the copper skin and the iron frame, eating away at the vulnerable interior. This was eventually restored using zinc.
Corrosion is a consistent and endless problem, because it’s the natural reaction between our atmosphere containing oxygen and water, and the metals we use throughout our lives. It’s very frequently a challenge in offshore environments, but is a persistent problem everywhere on earth.
As welders, we have to contend with two primary forms of corrosion. The first is corrosion on steel, and the second is corrosion on aluminum.
Can All Metals Corrode?
Virtually every metal can corrode. Some metals corrode until they’re nothing but a pile of oxides, like iron and steel. Others corrode to develop a film or patina that isolates the rest of it from further corrosion, like copper – some tarnish, as a form of corrosion, like silver.
Only two metals are thought about to be corrosion-resistant. They are majorly inert and very difficult to get to chemically react. That’s not to say they can’t corrode; only that, under normal circumstances, they do not. These two metals are super useful and platinum. Other metals, like tungsten, don’t corrode at normal temperatures but when heated to a high enough temperature can begin to corrode.
Super useful can be corroded, but in order to corrode it, it needs to be exposed to strong acids like hydrochloric acid along with chlorine or bromine. Oxygen doesn’t corrode it, but other chemicals can. Otherwise, super useful alloys can be corroded due to the non-gold metals mixed into the alloy corroding out of it.
All of this is to say that, yes, all metals can corrode, but the speed at which they corrode and the circumstances surrounding them can vary.
What Happens if a Metal is Corroded When You Weld It?
If a metal is corroded – or if it is coated with a chemical, paint, mill scale, or other contaminants – it usually needs to be cleaned before welding.
Why? After all, with the extremely high heat of a welding torch, shouldn’t any contaminant be vaporized and burned away before the welding begins?
While this can be true of certain kinds of welding, like stick welding or oxyfuel welding, it’s not true of more common arc welding types like TIG or MIG. While you can burn away some of the contaminants, some of it will be left behind, and that contamination causes problems.
What kind of problems?
Inclusions can lead to porosity, which weakens the physical structure of the joint and compromises the strength of the weld.
Important inclusions can cause cracking in the weld, which makes it unusable.
Extreme contamination can lead to a complete failure to fuse the parts at all.
Contaminants and corroded parts can have different temperature gradients and differentials, meaning your welding won’t penetrate the same way you expect it to, leading to either unexpected burn-through or insufficient penetration.
Flash-boiling or burning contaminants can cause excessive spatter and slag in a weld.
Another problem is that many of the coatings, corrosion, and contaminants that can be on the surface of a piece of metal can when vaporized or burned, turn into very hazardous chemicals. While welding fumes are already a danger and need to be controlled appropriately, some, like zinc coatings, are a much more extreme health hazard and can even be deadly.
Even if none of these end up being a important issue, the which ends up weld will have an uneven, pitted appearance and will require much more post-welding cleanup and treatment than having welded clean metal in the first place.
How Do You Remove Corrosion Before Welding?
Removing contaminants and corrosion from metal before welding is important, so how do you do it? There are many tools and techniques you can use, and some or all of them should be available in your shop.
First, you should use a clean rag to wipe down the metals using acetone. Acetone is a very effective solvent and can break down and remove many different kinds of contaminants and particles that can otherwise prove to be a problem when you’re welding down the road.
If the metal you’re going to weld has a coating of paint on it, an excellent tool to use to remove it is sandpaper. Courser grit sandpaper can remove paint faster but will abrade the metal and leave it scuffed and gouged, which may affect the finished product, depending on what you’re going for. You may prefer using a finer grit sandpaper to remove the paint or other coating. 150 grit is about the most you should use. Also, using aluminum oxide sandpaper will last longer than standard sandpaper, but either will do the job.
For certain kinds of coatings, for larger pieces, or for cases where a complete cleaning is needed, you can try abrasive blasting. Colloquially known as sandblasting, sand is not used these days due to silicosis concerns; instead, it’s usually a different kind of abrasive material, like walnut husks or soda. In some cases, ground glass or ceramic also can be used. Abrasive blasting will need a specialized container and protective equipment, But, so it’s not perfect unless you’ll be doing it frequently. You can read more about abrasive blasting here.
The most traditional way to remove a coating, paint, rust, oxidation, or other corrosion is basically using a wire brush. A wire brush is stiff and abrasive enough to remove coatings and corrosion without doing too much damage to the underlying metal.
Warning: if you’re using wire brushes, brush wheels, or similar mechanical abrasives, do not use one on both steel and aluminum. Any brush you use on aluminum should only be used on aluminum. Using a brush previously used on steel on aluminum will leave microparticles of steel on the aluminum, creating further contamination that can’t be removed with the same tool. Since aluminum is a comparatively soft metal, particles of steel can even be driven into the surface and become impossible to remove.
If your metal has large patches of corrosion or other contamination that need removing, you may also try an angle grinder. This is decidedly unnecessary for aluminum but may be helpful to for steel, especially steel with a lot of corrosion. Angle grinders can easily cut through a material, though, so you need to be careful not to remove too much.
Another option, along the same lines as abrasive blasting, is laser cleaning. Lasers can burn off surface contamination and corrosion while leaving the underlying material almost completely clean. This can be effective, but only on certain kinds of contaminants, and you will likely still need a finishing touch with a brush and chemicals. On the plus side, laser cleaning is a relatively new and cool technology and is pretty fun, so it might be worth investing in basically on the novelty.
Finally, there are also types of corrosion and contamination that are most easily removed with chemicals. Various kinds of chemical strippers and acids can remove all manner of corrosion and many contaminants without harming the underlying metals. But, they take more time to work and can be very hazardous to handle, and the residue will need to be cleaned off afterward as well.
What Should You Watch for When Cleaning Corrosion?
When cleaning corrosion off of metal before welding, there are several things to avoid and others to double-check before you’re finished and ready to weld.
First, check for deep gouges, grooves, or cracks in the material. Contamination can be deep inside these, and simple abrasive measures like a wire brush or sandpaper can’t get deep enough to clean them fully. Usually, the solution is to grind out the area and build it back up with filler material before then welding the whole item. Or, the piece may be beyond saving, though this is relatively rare if you have the leeway to work on it.
Certain metals and alloys need additional preparation and care when cleaning and welding. To give you an example, welding magnesium alloys has special factors, like heat treating, that may be needed. Learn more about magnesium alloys here.
When cleaning off a material, especially if it’s a soft material like aluminum or if you’re using a grinder to do it, be careful not to remove too much of the surface. Leaving your workpieces too thin can jeopardize your weld as well. The exception to this is when you’re intentionally grinding down with the intention of filling back up and changing the material to your needs.
Always finish your cleaning with a final wipe-down with acetone and a clean cloth. This will make sure that any further particulates and residues are removed from the surface before you weld. Acetone itself doesn’t need to be removed, as it evaporates quickly.
In all cases, make sure you’re wearing the right kind of personal protective equipment to make sure that everything from sparks to stray particulate to fumes are kept away from your sensitive bits. The last thing you need is to inhale zinc fumes or catch a stray spark to the face.
How Do You Prevent Corrosion After Welding?
Corrosion can happen after welding, and can happen almost immediately. When this happens, it’s usually because there was not enough or not the right kind of flux or shielding gas present during welding, and atmospheric gasses contaminated the weld. Redoing the weld with the right shielding will mitigate the issue.
For longer-term corrosion, the metal needs to be coated and protected in some way. This may mean a coating of zinc to create galvanized steel, or it may mean a different coating to make stainless steel. It could also require paint. There are many other options to pursue, and it largely depends on the use of the parts.
If you’re in the market for new welding equipment, you’ve likely seen how everything is going for steep prices these days. It can be a bit scary to invest in new welding equipment, especially if you aren’t sure about the quality or utility of the machines you’re looking at. Fortunately, we can help. At Red-D-Arc, our welding equipment is all available for rent. You can try out any machine or accessory you want and determine if it does what you want it to do for a fraction of the cost of buying a new machine. To get started, browse our catalog.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out as well. Our welding experts are standing by to help with any needs you may have, from small-scale shop questions to complete fabrication facility matters of scale.
Prefabrication in the construction industry is likely to remain an ongoing trend. The skilled labor shortage, growing demand, and tighter margins increase the need to create the construction elements in a controlled environment.
Why is the controlled environment so important? Well, the key lies in absolute management and leaving very little to chance and environmental factors.
When elements of buildings, infrastructure, and industrial facilities are produced serially, process control and project cost efficiency increase significantly.
Welding is an essential task for many shops, from workshops that need occasional welding, to facilities that weld as part of operations every day, to fabrication facilities doing nothing but welding.
Regardless of how much welding you need to do, it’s critical – absolutely essential – that your shop has a space set up properly for welding safely. Welding presents many risks, including:
High currents of electricity that present an electrocution hazard.
High heat that can be a burn hazard.
Sparks that can be both a burn and fire hazard.
Bright lights that can be a hazard to vision.
Loud noises that can be a hazard to hearing.
Fumes that can be a respiratory hazard.
While all of these hazards can be mitigated, it’s important to make sure to actually do so. Lax safety is the leading cause of workplace accidents, and when you’re dealing with the kinds of risks a welder presents, that can have serious long-term consequences.
So, how do you set up a space to weld safely? Let’s talk about it.
Consider a Separate Space
Sometimes, your welding needs are sporadic and don’t warrant setting up a dedicated space for it. In these cases, you’ll want to take as many steps and precautions as possible to ensure the safety of your welding operator and anyone else in the space, as well as the space itself.
It’s usually better, though, to have a dedicated space for welding. Many of the best ways to handle the hazards involved with welding require that you outfit a space with safety equipment, and that’s easiest to do if you don’t need to move it out of the way of other operations.
So, carefully consider how much welding you’ll be doing, and if possible, consider a dedicated space for welding. We’ll be writing the rest of this post as if you’re setting up such a space, but many of our tips can work equally in both situations, so make sure to read through.
Either way, make sure that you have enough space for your welding operators to work comfortably. A cramped environment increases stress, fatigue, and danger, so you need space for the people, projects, equipment, and storage necessary for the smooth operation of your welding.
Check the Floor
Sparks, spatter, and debris can fly as far as 40 feet away from a welder in operation. That means for proper safety, you need to consider everything that will be within that area. What better place to start than the foundation itself?
Ideally, your welding area should have a solid cement floor. That way, nothing is at risk of burning from a stray spark or glob of molten metal. It’s also non-conductive, which eliminates the risk of metal flooring. A packed dirt floor can also work, though you’ll have more issues with dirt and dust in your shop in that case.
You also want to check the floor for tripping hazards. Hoses and cables are necessary for welding – you need electricity and gas, after all – but you want as little as possible trailing across the floor, both during operation and when the equipment is put away. There are many solutions to this, including ceiling drops, but it’s a consideration that must be made.
Strong Lighting
You need to see what you’re doing when you’re welding. This is difficult because welding generates an extremely bright arc of electricity, so you need eye protection that darkens to protect your eyes from that glare.
So, you need lighting for your workspace that is bright enough to illuminate your working area even when you have a welding mask on. Ideally, this shouldn’t be your sole source of light in the area, either; more gentle light for when your mask isn’t on is also necessary.
Good Work Surface
Where are you doing your welding? Not just in what area of your shop, but where specifically? Sometimes, you don’t have much of a choice – an auto repair shop might need to work in tight spaces to fix the frame of a vehicle – but if welding on mobile workpieces is the way you work, having a dedicated workspace is a great idea.
One great option is a welding table or positioner. There are a variety of mechanisms that serve this function. Some are essentially workbenches with built-in fume extraction. Others have rotary and rotational settings to move and position your workpieces at any angle you need them. Otherwise, simply having a fire-resistant workbench may be all you need.
Separation from the Rest of the Shop
Many of the hazards of welding can travel. Specifically, the sound, the glare, and the fumes, as well as spatter and sparks, can all travel quite some ways from the actual welding operator and their workpieces.
Ideally, you will have your welding area separated from the rest of your shop with walls, a door, or some other barrier. This protects others who walk by from catching the glare – which can damage eyesight very quickly – and from breathing in welding fumes.
If you can’t dedicate a segmented space to welding, at least have barriers you can put up around the working area. Welding curtains, for example, can be drawn to segment an area both physically and visually while still being able to be moved through and pushed out of the way when more open space is needed.
Ventilation and Fume Extraction
Welding fumes can be extremely hazardous to the health of your welding operators and anyone else who shares the space with active welding. Proper ventilation and/or fume extraction systems are required for safe welding.
Your two options are stationary fume extraction systems and portable fume extractors. Portable units are smaller and can be positioned close to an active job and recirculate air in their space after passing it through a filter. Stationary systems are typically capable of circulating all of the air in a space and venting it outside, though some may have directed hoses for more guided suction directly above a project.
Another element of a good welding area is proper storage for the items and materials you need in your operations. Make sure any storage containers you use are fire-resistant or fireproof and that they can safely hold the kinds of items you need.
Consider space for:
Welding machines themselves. These take up a decent amount of space and need to be put somewhere while they aren’t in use. Since your workshop may need more than one kind of welding machine, you need to either consider a multi-function machine (which will be larger and more expensive) or several individual machines with dedicated functions.
Consumables. All of your spare nozzles, electrodes, welding filler rods and wires, and all the rest need to be stored somewhere convenient. If you need to send someone clear across the building for a filler rod in the middle of a project, you’re losing a lot of productive time.
Gas cylinders. Welding generally requires a shielding gas, and those gas cylinders are a hazard themselves. They need to be stored properly, upright, labeled, and away from other hazardous gasses so there can be no risk of mix-ups.
PPE. Welding helmets and masks, protective jackets, eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, and anything else necessary to keep your welding operators safe needs to have a place nearby that they can be stored so there’s not even the flimsiest excuse to “do without just this once.”
Remember that all of these storage containers, racks, and other furniture will require space in your welding area.
Safety Equipment
One of the most important things to have on hand is, as mentioned above, PPE. Personal protective equipment is required for safe and effective welding.
If you don’t have the right PPE on hand, you shouldn’t be welding at all.
A welding helmet. Welding helmets are critical for both spark/fire/spatter protection and eye protection against the blinding light of an electric arc. Your operators need helmets that fit and properly protect their eyes from the glare.
Protective clothing. There are several pieces here, including welding jackets, aprons, gloves, and more. The exact combination can vary and may be part of your operator’s wardrobe rather than in-facility equipment, but you should always have something on hand as a backup, just in case.
Respirators. A good respirator serves as a backup to ensure that even small amounts of toxic or noxious fumes escape your fume extraction system.
In addition to PPE, your welding area needs the right kind of gear and equipment on hand to handle any emergencies that can arise in operations.
A fire blanket is a good emergency item to keep on hand in the case of a fire. Similarly, fire extinguishers rated to extinguish any sort of fire that can arise in the area are also important to have on hand and accessible. Since some metals can be ignited and difficult to put out, this may need special consideration.
Part of PPE is protecting your operators from the risk of burns, but it’s also a good idea to have first aid on hand that can handle burns if they happen.
Accessories and Secondary Tools
There’s an immense number of possible items that may be useful or necessary for proper welding, depending on the kind of welding you’re doing.
For example:
Metal saws, like band saws and chop saws, are used to cut pieces to size.
Pliers, vice grips, clamps, and pry bars are all useful tools to have on hand.
Grinders can be important for fixing mistakes and removing minor excesses in a material.
Wire brushes and other mechanical cleaning devices are important for cleaning materials before welding them.
This just scratches the surface of the array of tools and other items you might need to keep on hand or available when welding. The specifics will depend on what you plan on doing in your shop when welding is involved, what else your shop is already doing, and what capabilities you need on hand. Don’t worry about getting this one perfect out of the gate; establishing the right array of tools is more of an ongoing process than it is a destination.
The CNC Option
Many – though not all – of the considerations above can be handled in just one package: a self-enclosed CNC machine. CNC machines enclose the workpiece in a shielded and fume-extracted workspace, use precise computerized movements to guarantee appropriate welds, and keep the operator out of harm’s way.
There are a few problems with CNC machines. The most obvious is the expense; a large-scale CNC machine can be very costly. They also tend to be bulky and heavy, so it can be difficult to find the right space for them. They also dramatically change the workflow, requiring more CAD and computer skills out of your operators than welding experience. They are also best used for repeatable projects, rather than one-off welding needs, so that may or may not fit with your use case.
A CNC can be an excellent option if it suits your needs, but it might also be an expensive device that doesn’t cut it. It’s an evaluation you’ll need to make for yourself.
The Ideal Equipment
The key to any good welding facility is the welders themselves. Whether you need a MIG, TIG, or another process or multi-process machine, something powered by gas or hard-wired, something with advanced computerized capabilities, or just the simplest equipment, there’s something out there for you. The trouble is finding it.
That’s where we come in. At Red-D-Arc, our rental welding equipment covers all the bases. Once you have a basic idea of what capabilities you need, you can find machines that suit your needs and rent them to try them out. If you like them, great!
Keep the rental going, or buy one for yourself, either used from our store or new from the vendor. Or, if the machine doesn’t quite work the way you need it to, return it and try another with no significant loss. If you don’t know what you need, you can also contact us, and our experts will be happy to help you decide.
Controlling heat is one of the most important elements of welding. Whether you’re using a direct heat application technique like oxyfuel welding or the more common and popular arc welding, you need to know how much heat you’re putting into a material and what that heat is doing.
When heat is applied to a metal, that heat does many things. First, it adds energy to the molecules in the metal, which gets them moving and can break them free of crystalline lattices or other metallic structures at an atomic level. With even more heat, it changes their state from solid to liquid. Heat beyond that can burn or vaporize the material.
All the while, you have to be aware of the thermal conductivity of the material, and how much the heat spreads, as well as any molecular or chemical changes that can happen when heat is applied. Heat can do many things, including cause warping and distortion, make the material more susceptible to chemical changes, and more.
So, how does the melting point of a material affect your welding? Let’s dig deeper into the subject and discuss what you need to know to be a talented welding operator.
What is the Melting Point?
In physics, the melting point is the temperature at which a material transforms from a solid into a liquid. This is known as a phase transition, and similar transitions exist for turning from a liquid into a gas and even beyond that point and into plasma for materials capable of becoming plasma. Some materials also don’t have melting points; a common example is carbon dioxide. When solid, CO2 is “dry ice,” but dry ice does not melt into a liquid. Instead, it sublimates directly from solid to gas. Liquid CO2 does exist but can only exist at high pressures, so solid CO2 never melts into a liquid unless it’s already in a very high-pressure environment.
The melting point of a material is an attribute of that material determined by the chemical and molecular structure of the atoms that make it up. It’s also directly related to the material’s ability to conduct thermal energy, and the rate at which it expands when exposed to heat. All of these factors combined determine the appropriate uses of the material.
We’re used to thinking of the melting point of a metal as a very high temperature. Indeed, for many metals, it is. However, other metals are liquid at much lower temperatures. The most obvious example is mercury, which is liquid at room temperature because its melting point is -38 degrees F.
Mercury also demonstrates the correlation between melting point and thermal expansion. A metal expands when it is heated, but the amount it expands relates to its melting point. Mercury is very sensitive to temperatures because of its low melting point. That’s why, contained in a narrow tube, it can even be used to measure temperature, which is how mercury thermometers work.
What Does the Melting Point Affect?
The melting point in a metal impacts pretty much everything about that metal.
For example, the melting point is a critical component of the alloying process. An alloy is a combination of more than one metal, combined, while the metal or metals are liquid. The addition of a secondary element changes the properties of the base material. For example, tungsten is strong, but the addition of carbon to create tungsten carbine makes it extremely strong and useful in cutting tools. Similarly, carbon added to iron is an extremely common method used to produce varieties of steel, which we’re all familiar with in welding.
The melting point of a material can also substantially impact how it is used and how products made out of it are manufactured. If you need a metal part, do you cast the metal, do you cut and grind it into shape, do you weld pieces together to form it? The properties of the metal – and the desired final structure – define which methods are usable.
Many industries also require materials that can resist extreme heat. If a material has a melting point too low, that heat will melt the material, making it useless to manage or contain that heat. In some cases, however, this can even be an intentional safety feature; a material with a lower melting point can be used as, effectively, an intentional breakpoint to tactically shut down operations in a way that saves much worse failure. Electrical fuses, which conduct electricity at a fixed amperage or below but melt and break when a higher amperage goes through them, are a primary example.
One thing to bear in mind, however, is that the melting point is not also the failure point of a material. Simply applying enough heat to soften a metal can cause catastrophic failure, even if it’s not enough to fully melt the metal. The online meme of “jet fuel can’t melt steel beams” comes from this: in the events of 9/11, burning jet fuel applied heat to the steel structure of the World Trade Center. This heat was not enough to melt the steel – or rather, it can give off enough heat but not in a concentrated enough area – but it was enough to soften the metal to the point of collapse and the ensuing tragedy.
What are Common Melting Points?
Above, we mentioned the metal with the lowest melting point, mercury, but you’re not exactly welding mercury.
What are the melting points of metals you may commonly be welding?
Aluminum is 660 degrees C
Bronze is 913 degrees C
Copper is 1084 degrees C
Steel ranges from 1371 degrees C up to 1540 degrees C
Wrought iron melts around 1482 degrees C
Stainless steel starts at 1400 degrees C and higher
Titanium melts around 1670 degrees C
Tungsten melts around 3400 degrees C
When you consider that the arc in arc welding can turn these metals to liquid in a literal flash, you can see how incredible the forces are behind electricity.
This is also one reason why you can’t weld together disparate materials. If you have two kinds of steel you can generally fuse them together, but the melting point difference between steel and aluminum is so great that by the time your steel is melting, your aluminum is completely burned through.
HAZ and Distortion
Melting point, as mentioned above, is related directly to the thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of a material.
When you apply heat to an area of metal, that heat spreads throughout the metal according to its thermal conductivity. The greater the conductivity, the larger the area around where you’re applying heat will end up heating up. Since the area of application of arc welding is very small – just where the arc is touching the metal – the heat affected zone is often rather small as well.
What this means is that you end up with a higher temperature gradient between where you’re welding and the rest of the material. It’s hot enough to melt right where the torch is working, but inches away, it can be significantly cooler.
One of the biggest challenges in welding, particularly when you’re welding thin materials, is the distortion caused by the heat affected zone and the thermal gradient.
Imagine for a moment that you have a piece of paper flat on a surface. One end of the paper is weighed down. On the other, you slide towards the fixed end. What happens? The paper bows up or even crumples, depending on the force applied. In this metaphor, the force holding one end is fixed by the molecular structure of the metal and the colder temperatures. The force moving the other end is the heat, expanding the metal towards the colder side. The way the paper flexes is distorted.
This is why, when you weld thinner materials with too much heat, the material can twist and warp. This distortion can damage or ruin the project you’re working on, and it’s all a physical consequence of how heat interacts with metal.
How do you handle these situations?
Apply heat more slowly. Controlling the heat you put in with techniques like pulsed arc welding and spot welding, using lower amperages, or even using a lower-heat technique like oxyfuel welding allows you to control the heat-affected zone and reduce warping.
Preheat the material. The problem isn’t necessarily the heat itself; it’s the difference in temperature between where you’re applying heat and the rest of the material. If you preheat the entire workpiece to bring it closer to the melting point, applying a bit of heat to bring your joint the rest of the way won’t create as much of a gradient and won’t cause the same distortion.
Use a backer. When welding materials that are subject to easy distortion, attaching a heat sink backer can help absorb excess heat and prevent the workpiece from distorting.
Learning when and how to use various techniques like these can dramatically reduce the frequency of lost or damaged products when welding.
Heat and Chemical Reactions
One other issue with welding – and a reason why some kind of shielding gas is commonly used in welding – is chemical reactions. We’re used to thinking of metals as largely inert and subject mostly to issues like oxidation causing rust, which can be protected against with coatings and treatments.
However, these kinds of chemical reactions are easier to perform in higher-temperature environments.
Nitrogen can react with metals when the metals are molten to create nitrides. Nitrides are extremely hard but brittle; they’re often used in tools but when used in something like steel, can cause catastrophic failure under load. Nitrogen won’t do anything to steel under standard atmospheric temperature and pressure, but under the high heat of welding, it’s more likely to cause a reaction.
Oxygen causes rust in iron. Iron oxides can form very quickly when oxygen contacts susceptible iron, and form inclusions that reduce the strength of a weld joint. Oxidation is also what causes color changes in metals around the heat affected zone, though this can be largely cosmetic when handled properly.
Hydrogen is also abundant and, when a metal is hot, can be diffused into the molten metal. The hydrogen doesn’t react with the metal, but it does form pockets and weaken the joint, leading to cracking and brittle welds.
Contrast this with inert gasses like helium and argon, and you can see why those gasses are used to shield a molten weld pool from the atmosphere around it.
Avoiding Temperature-Related Problems in Welding
There’s no easy rule of thumb you can use to avoid all temperature-related problems in welding. Most of it is simply experience. Over time, you build an awareness of how metals react in what ways and at what temperatures.
One of the best things you can do is make use of modern welding equipment. For example, many modern welders have computerized settings that pulse the electricity they use between a higher and a lower amperage. This applies high energy to the peaks of the pulses and low energy to the troughs of the pulses at a frequency of many times per second. The result is that you still apply enough current to melt and weld properly, but you have more leeway and less risk of going overboard and applying too much heat.
If you’re interested in seeing how these advanced modern welding systems work, we can help you out. Here at Red-D-Arc, we’re always on the cutting edge of welding equipment. Our array of rental welding equipment has many of these modern features! You can rent a welder and give it a try, get a feel for these features, and see if they suit your needs. If they don’t, you can return the welder and try something different. If they do, you can continue to rent it for as long as you need, or you can swing by our used equipment sales and purchase one for yourself.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our trained and experienced staff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and help guide you to the perfect equipment.
Typically, when you’re joining two materials together using an arc welding process, you’re primarily concerned with excess heat. Too much heat, too slow a travel speed, and too high a current can lead to a variety of problems, including warping, burn-through, and distortion.
Sometimes, though, there’s another concern: that your penetration isn’t deep enough. Whether you’re using an underpowered welding machine or, more likely, you’re working on a very thick workpiece, you’re going to need to use a technique you normally wouldn’t: multipass welding.
What is multipass welding, when is it used, and what do you need to know about it? Let’s discuss.
Interested in learning more about dry ice blasting and orbital applications? Join us at one of our upcoming events to see dry ice blasting and orbital welding equipment in action and find out how they can help you improve efficiency and sanitation requirements.
RSVP for an event with your Account Manager and stop by one of our live demos
Dry Ice Blasting Demo May 7, 2024 I 9:00am – 2:00pm Red-D-Arc 2537 West 2100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Orbital Welding Demo May 7, 2024 I 9:00am – 2:00pm Airgas 3415 South 700 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Dry Ice Blasting and Orbital Welding Demos May 8, 2024 I 9:00am – 2:00pm Airgas 2537 1760 West Ogden, UT 84400
May 9, 2024 I 9:00am – 2:00pm Airgas 35 East 3760 North Hyde Park, UT 84318
Can’t make it to the event, but want to talk with us about our dry ice blasting and orbital welding equipment offer? Contact us now.
Red-D-Arc offers a comprehensive portfolio of heat treating equipment for all of your pre-heat, bakeout and post-weld heat treating needs. Induction heating equipment has been a key part of the Red-D-Arc heating offer turnkey equipment packages and applications expertise since the inception of the Miller® ProHeat™ 35 more than twenty years ago. As the heat treating industry continues to expand and new solutions are introduced, Red-D-Arc is here to guide you with any induction heating equipment needs.
Red-D-Arc customized Preheat application in Louisiana by WPS Joe Rios
Service and Expertise to Help You Select Induction Heating Equipment
The Red-D-Arc team ensures you have the induction heating equipment you need—when and where you need it. We don’t just rent equipment though. Our team of heat treating experts work with you to understand the details of your project and then recommend the equipment that is best suited to meet the requirements of your job. We always strive to provide the best possible service to support you so you can focus on the work you need to do.
Red-D-Arc Induction Heating Equipment Portfolio
Miller ArcReach Induction Heater
Miller ProHeat 35 Induction Heater
Induction Heating Accessories
A small ultra-portable 8kW preheating unit designed for field use up to 600℉, powered by a Miller ArcReach enabled welding power source like the EX360 Field Pro. Learn More
An all-in-one 35 kW system induction heater that can handle applications needing greater heating capability and available with air-cooled (up to 400℉) and liquid-cooled (up to 1450℉) cables. Learn More
Speed up your process and improve safety with customized accessories such as portable induction furnaces, clam shells, induction internal plugs and induction blankets. Learn More
For more information about options to rent, lease or purchase induction heating equipment and assistance creating a turnkey package customized to your specific needs, contact us today.
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