MMA Welding

What is MMA Welding?

Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMA or MMAW) otherwise known as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW),  is a process where the arc is stuck between an electrode flux coated metal rod and work piece.

When coming together both the rod and the surface of the work piece is melted to create a weld.

MMA  welding or  stick welding, is form of manual arc welding that enables a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld.

An electric current, in the form of either alternating current or direct current from a welding power supply (see below for our top of the range power sources, )is used to form an electric arc between the electrode and the metals so they are joined.

The work piece and the electrode, form what is known as a weld pool that cools to form a joint. As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode disintegrates, giving off vapours that serve as a shielding gas and providing a layer of slag, both of which protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination.

Because of the versatility of the process and the simplicity of its equipment and operation, MMA welding is one of the world's first and most popular welding processes. It dominates other welding processes in the maintenance and repair industry, and though flux-cored arc welding is growing in popularity.

 MMA continues to be used extensively in the construction of heavy steel structures and in industrial fabrication and at Techweld we strive to provide the best equipment in the West Yorkshire and surrounding areas.

The process is used primarily to weld iron and steels (including stainless steel) but aluminium, nickel and copper alloys can also be welded with this method.