Carbon Arc Welding

Carbon arc welding (CAW) utilizes a nonconsumable electrode, made of carbon or graphite, to establish an arc between itself and either a workpiece or another carbon electrode. This article describes the operation modes of the CAW process: single-electrode operation and twin-electrode operation. It presents a schematic representation of typical arrangements for single-electrode and twin-electrode carbon arc welding. Recommended current ranges for carbon and graphite electrodes are listed in a table. The article concludes with information on the applications of the CAW process.