Welding

metalwork · construction · engineering · joining

Melting metal together. Welders use incredibly hot temperatures, sometimes over 3000 degrees Fahrenheit, to melt the edges of two pieces of metal. When the molten metal cools down, the two pieces become one solid piece that's even stronger than before.

Not just heat method. While most welding uses high heat to melt materials, there are other cool ways to join metals without melting them at all. Some methods use pressure, cold temperatures, or special chemicals to bond materials together.

Building big things. Welding is used to build almost everything made of metal, from cars and bridges to ships and skyscrapers. Without welding, we couldn't construct many of the structures and machines we use every day.

Super strong joints. When metals are welded correctly, the joint becomes as strong as the metal around it, which is why welding is trusted for important structures like airplanes and buildings. This fusion method creates bonds that can last for decades.

Different materials work too. While metals are the most common materials welded, some types of plastics called thermoplastics can also be welded together using heat. There's even something called solvent welding that uses special chemicals instead of heat to bond materials.