AWS WHC-3.15:2008

Other Welding and Cutting Processes
Scope : This chapter covers several welding and cutting processes that differ from the more commonly used processes described in the other chapters of this volume. Some processes discussed in this chapter may not be widely used, but are important in their fields of special application. Among these processes are cold welding, hot pressure welding, thermite welding, and percussion welding. In addition, modern research and development applied to technologies of the past have resulted in two emerging processes: magnetic pulse welding and electrospark deposition. These are also included in this chapter. Two processes from the distant past are covered in the chapter. Forge welding has been used for centuries and still has limited modern use. Water jet cutting uses the ancient concept of a stream of water as a tool; however, coupled with modern technology, this process is highly effective as a cutting tool for a growing range of modern industrial applications. Early arc welding processes, although obsolete, are included in this chapter because of their historical significance. They were precursors of the shielded arc welding processes that have become highly important to modern metal fabricating. Forge welding is the earliest known welding process, and it remained in common use until well into the nineteenth century. Blacksmiths used this process. Pressure vessels and steel pipe were among the industrial items once fabricated by forge welding.