Electric arc welding

The exacting demands of the present World War have given a tremendous impetus to the application of electric arc welding methods for making rapid repairs to a great variety of machinery and apparatus required in the successful conduct of the conflict. The British Admiralty has adopted the process extensively for ship construction including minor structural parts, caulking of. seams, and for partially eliminating riveted construction. At present the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation has an active Welding Committee working upon the application of electric welding with a view to ultimately producing merchant ships which will be largely built by welding instead of the present riveted construction. Probably the chief reasons for the apparent apathy of the general industrial world toward arc welding are the haphazard methods employed, using any kind of electrical equipment, any kind of wire for electrode material and any kind of laborer or general handy man as a welder. This situation is being gradually improved, owing to a number of articles appearing recently in the technical press which emphasize the proper methods for the execution of satisfactory welds, general methods of supervising and inspecting welding work, and the selection of proper electrical equipment.