Plasma arc welding (PAW) can be defined as a gas-shielded arc welding process where the coalescence of metals is achieved via the heat transferred by an arc that is created between a tungsten electrode and a workpiece. This article focuses on the operating principles and procedures, current and operating modes, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of PAW. It discusses the personnel and equipment requirements, as well as the joints used in the process. The power source, plasma control console, water cooler, welding torch, and gas supply system for the plasma and shielding gases are also reviewed.

Plasma arc welding (PAW) can be defined as a gas-shielded arc welding process where the coalescence of metals is achieved via the heat transferred by an arc that is created between a tungsten electrode and a workpiece. This article discusses the melt-in mode and the keyhole mode of the PAW process, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. It describes the components of a basic PAW system, namely the power source, plasma control console, water cooler, welding torch, and gas supply system for the plasma and shielding gases. The article provides information on the applications of the PAW process and discusses the typical components and joints used. It concludes with information on personnel requirements and safety issues.

Plasma gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a process that can be defined as a combination of plasma arc welding (PAW) and GMAW within a single torch, where a filler wire is fed through the plasma nozzle orifice. Although originally referred to as plasma-MIG welding, the preferred term is plasma-GMAW. This article provides a detailed discussion on the operating procedures, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of GMAW and describes the equipment used in the plasma-GMAW.

Plasma-metal inert gas (MIG) welding can be defined as a combination of plasma arc welding (PAW) and gas-metal arc welding (GMAW) within a single torch, where a filler wire is fed through the plasma nozzle orifice. This article describes the principles of operation and operating modes of plasma-MIG welding. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the plasma-MIG process. The article describes the components, including power sources and welding torches, of equipment used for the plasma-MIG process. It provides information on inspection and weld quality control and troubleshooting techniques. The article concludes with a discussion on the applications of the plasma-MIG process.

The shielding gas used in an arc welding process has a significant influence on the overall performance of the welding system. These gases are argon, helium, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. This article discusses the shielding gas selection criteria for plasma arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and flux cored arc welding. It describes the basic properties of shielding gases, namely, dissociation, recombination, reactivity potential, oxidation potential, and gas purity. The article also provides information on the influence of the shielding gas on weld mechanical properties and self-shielded flux cored arc welding.

This article contains a table that lists the properties of various fuel gases, namely, acetylene, hydrogen, methane, methyl acetylene propadiene, propane, propylene, and natural gas. It discusses shielding gases, their mixtures and uses in gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and plasma arc welding.