Authors: William A. Bowditch, Kevin E. Bowditch, and Mark A. Bowditch

Welding Fundamentals provides students with a strong understanding of the theory, principles, and techniques required for safe and successful welding and cutting. It provides all the information needed to help students develop proficiency in common welding processes, thermal cutting, welding symbols and basic print reading, joint design and fit up, and weld inspection and testing.

Table of Contents

Abbreviated Contents

Welding Fundamentals 7e, Online Textbook

• Welding Fundamentals
• Copyright © 2026 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
• Preface
• About the Authors
• Reviewers
• Acknowledgments
• New to This Edition
• Credentialing Partners and Support
• • NOCTI Certifications
  • YouScience® Industry Certifications
• Tools for Student and Instructor Success
• • Student Tools
  • Instructor Tools
• Features of the Textbook
• • Chapter Opening Materials
  • Additional Features
  • Illustrations
  • End-of-Chapter Content
• Brief Contents
• Contents
• Practical Exercises
• Section 1 Introduction to Welding
• Chapter 1 Careers in Welding
• • Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 1 Key Terms
  • 1.1 Your Personal Career Goals
  • 1.2 Types of Welding Jobs
  • 1.3 Skills Needed for a Welding Career
  • 1.4 Finding a Welding Job
  • 1.5 Keeping Your Job
  • 1.6 Entrepreneurship
  • Chapter 1 Summary
  • Chapter 1 Review Questions
• Chapter 2 Safety in the Welding Shop
• • Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 2 Key Terms
  • 2.1 General Shop Safety
  • 2.2 Personal Safety and Clothing
  • 2.3 Fire Safety
  • 2.4 General Welding Shop Hazards
  • 2.5 Shop Areas and Maintenance
  • 2.6 Disposing of Hazardous Waste Materials
  • Chapter 2 Summary
  • Chapter 2 Review Questions
• Chapter 3 Welding and Cutting Processes
• • Chapter 3 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 3 Key Terms
  • 3.1 The Welding Process
  • 3.2 Advantages of Welding and Cutting Processes
  • 3.3 History of Welding
  • 3.4 Developments in Welding and Cutting Processes
  • 3.5 Common Welding and Cutting Processes
  • Chapter 3 Summary
  • Chapter 3 Review Questions
• Chapter 4 The Physics of Welding
• • Chapter 4 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 4 Key Terms
  • 4.1 Welding Theory
  • 4.2 Properties of Metals
  • 4.3 Welding Effects
  • 4.4 Heat-Treating Processes
  • 4.5 Electrical Principles
  • 4.6 Units of Measurement
  • Chapter 4 Summary
  • Chapter 4 Review Questions
• Chapter 5 Math for Welding
• • Chapter 5 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 5 Key Terms
  • 5.1 Introduction to STEM
  • 5.2 Math Applications
  • 5.3 Whole Numbers
  • 5.4 Fractions
  • 5.5 Decimals
  • 5.6 Converting between Fractions and Decimals
  • 5.7 Using Calculators
  • Chapter 5 Summary
  • Chapter 5 Review Questions
• Chapter 6 Math Applications for Welders
• • Chapter 6 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 6 Key Terms
  • 6.1 Measuring Length
  • 6.2 Overview of Shapes
  • 6.3 Measuring Shapes
  • 6.4 Other Units of Measurement for Welding
  • 6.5 Estimating
  • Chapter 6 Summary
  • Chapter 6 Review Questions
• Chapter 7 Weld Joints and Positions
• • Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 7 Key Terms
  • 7.1 Basic Weld Joints
  • 7.2 Weld Types
  • 7.3 Weld Beads and Weld Passes
  • 7.4 Joint Geometry
  • 7.5 Welding Positions
  • Chapter 7 Summary
  • Chapter 7 Review Questions
• Chapter 8 Welding Symbols and Print Reading
• • Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 8 Key Terms
  • 8.1 The Mechanical Drawing
  • 8.2 The Welding Symbol
  • Chapter 8 Summary
  • Chapter 8 Review Questions
• Section 2 Shielded Metal Arc Welding
• Chapter 9 SMAW: Equipment and Supplies
• • Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 9 Key Terms
  • 9.1 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Principles
  • 9.2 SMAW Current and Polarity
  • 9.3 SMAW Equipment
  • 9.4 SMAW Personal Protective Equipment
  • Chapter 9 Summary
  • Chapter 9 Review Questions
• Chapter 10 SMAW: Equipment Assembly and Adjustment
• • Chapter 10 Learning Outcomes
  • 10.1 Equipment Assembly
  • 10.2 SMAW Welding Set-Up
  • 10.3 Safety Review
  • Chapter 10 Summary
  • Chapter 10 Review Questions
• Chapter 11 SMAW: Electrodes
• • Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 11 Key Terms
  • 11.1 Covered Electrodes
  • 11.2 Electrode Identification
  • 11.3 Choosing an Electrode
  • 11.4 Electrode Amperage Requirements
  • 11.5 Care of Electrodes
  • Chapter 11 Summary
  • Chapter 11 Review Questions
• Chapter 12 SMAW: Flat Welding Position
• • Chapter 12 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 12 Key Terms
  • 12.1 Preparing to Weld
  • 12.2 Running a Weld Bead
  • 12.3 Welding Weld Joints
  • 12.4 Weld Defects
  • Chapter 12 Summary
  • Chapter 12 Review Questions
• Chapter 13 SMAW: Out-of-Position Welding
• • Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 13 Key Terms
  • 13.1 Out-of-Position SMAW
  • 13.2 Horizontal Welding Position
  • 13.3 Vertical Welding Position
  • 13.4 Overhead Welding Position
  • Chapter 13 Summary
  • Chapter 13 Review Questions
• Section 3 Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding
• Chapter 14 GMAW and FCAW: Equipment and Supplies
• • Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 14 Key Terms
  • 14.1 Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding Principles
  • 14.2 Metal Transfer
  • 14.3 GMAW and FCAW Equipment
  • 14.4 GMAW and FCAW Personal Protective Equipment
  • Chapter 14 Summary
  • Chapter 14 Review Questions
• Chapter 15 GMAW and FCAW: Equipment Assembly and Adjustment
• • Chapter 15 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 15 Key Term
  • 15.1 Equipment Assembly
  • 15.2 GMAW and FCAW Welding Set-Up
  • 15.3 Safety Review
  • Chapter 15 Summary
  • Chapter 15 Review Questions
• Chapter 16 GMAW and FCAW: Flat Welding Position
• • Chapter 16 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 16 Key Terms
  • 16.1 Preparing to Weld
  • 16.2 Running a Weld Bead
  • 16.3 Welding Weld Joints
  • 16.4 Weld Defects
  • Chapter 16 Summary
  • Chapter 16 Review Questions
• Chapter 17 GMAW and FCAW: Out-of-Position Welding
• • Chapter 17 Learning Outcomes
  • 17.1 Out-of-Position GMAW and FCAW
  • 17.2 Horizontal Welding Position
  • 17.3 Vertical Welding Position
  • 17.4 Overhead Welding Position
  • Chapter 17 Summary
  • Chapter 17 Review Questions
• Section 4 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
• Chapter 18 GTAW: Equipment and Supplies
• • Chapter 18 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 18 Key Terms
  • 18.1 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Principles
  • 18.2 GTAW Current and Polarity
  • 18.3 GTAW Equipment
  • 18.4 GTAW Personal Protective Equipment
  • Chapter 18 Summary
  • Chapter 18 Review Questions
• Chapter 19 GTAW: Equipment Assembly and Adjustment
• • Chapter 19 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 19 Key Terms
  • 19.1 Equipment Assembly
  • 19.2 GTAW Welding Set-Up
  • 19.3 Safety Review
  • Chapter 19 Summary
  • Chapter 19 Review Questions
• Chapter 20 GTAW: Flat Welding Position
• • Chapter 20 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 20 Key Terms
  • 20.1 Preparing to Weld
  • 20.2 Running a Weld Bead
  • 20.3 Welding Weld Joints
  • 20.4 Weld Defects
  • Chapter 20 Summary
  • Chapter 20 Review Questions
• Chapter 21 GTAW: Out-of-Position Welding
• • Chapter 21 Learning Outcomes
  • 21.1 Out-of-Position GTAW
  • 21.2 Horizontal Welding Position
  • 21.3 Vertical Welding Position
  • 21.4 Overhead Welding Position
  • Chapter 21 Summary
  • Chapter 21 Review Questions
• Section 5 Arc Cutting and Gouging
• Chapter 22 Plasma Arc Cutting and Gouging
• • Chapter 22 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 22 Key Terms
  • 22.1 Plasma Arc Cutting Principles
  • 22.2 Plasma Arc Cutting Equipment and Supplies
  • 22.3 Safety Review
  • 22.4 Plasma Arc Cutting and Gouging
  • Chapter 22 Summary
  • Chapter 22 Review Questions
• Chapter 23 Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging
• • Chapter 23 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 23 Key Terms
  • 23.1 Air Carbon Arc Cutting Principles
  • 23.2 Air Carbon Arc Cutting Equipment and Supplies
  • 23.3 Safety Review
  • 23.4 Air Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging
  • Chapter 23 Summary
  • Chapter 23 Review Questions
• Section 6 Oxyfuel Gas Processes
• Chapter 24 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting and Welding: Equipment and Supplies
• • Chapter 24 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 24 Key Terms
  • 24.1 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting and Welding Principles
  • 24.2 Handling Acetylene and Oxygen
  • 24.3 Oxyacetylene Equipment
  • 24.4 Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
  • Chapter 24 Summary
  • Chapter 24 Review Questions
• Chapter 25 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting and Welding: Equipment Assembly and Adjustment
• • Chapter 25 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 25 Key Terms
  • 25.1 Assembling the Cutting or Welding Outfit
  • 25.2 Turning on an Oxyacetylene Cutting or Welding Outfit
  • 25.3 Oxyacetylene Flames
  • 25.4 Lighting and Adjusting an Oxyacetylene Torch
  • 25.5 Shutting Down an Oxyacetylene Outfit
  • Chapter 25 Summary
  • Chapter 25 Review Questions
• Chapter 26 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting
• • Chapter 26 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 26 Key Terms
  • 26.1 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting Principles
  • 26.2 Oxyfuel Gas Cutting
  • 26.3 Safety Review
  • Chapter 26 Summary
  • Chapter 26 Review Questions
• Chapter 27 Oxyfuel Gas Welding: Flat Welding Position
• • Chapter 27 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 27 Key Terms
  • 27.1 Preparing to Weld
  • 27.2 Running a Weld Bead
  • 27.3 Welding Weld Joints
  • 27.4 Weld Defects
  • Chapter 27 Summary
  • Chapter 27 Review Questions
• Chapter 28 Oxyfuel Gas Welding: Out-of-Position Welding
• • Chapter 28 Learning Outcomes
  • 28.1 Out-of-Position Welding
  • 28.2 Horizontal Welding Position
  • 28.3 Vertical Welding Position
  • 28.4 Overhead Welding Position
  • Chapter 28 Summary
  • Chapter 28 Review Questions
• Chapter 29 Brazing and Braze Welding
• • Chapter 29 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 29 Key Terms
  • 29.1 Brazing and Braze Welding Principles
  • 29.2 Preparing to Braze or Braze Weld
  • 29.3 Brazing and Braze Welding
  • 29.4 Out-of-Position Brazing and Braze Welding
  • Chapter 29 Summary
  • Chapter 29 Review Questions
• Chapter 30 Soldering
• • Chapter 30 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 30 Key Terms
  • 30.1 Soldering Principles
  • 30.2 Soldering Filler Metals and Fluxes
  • 30.3 Preparing to Solder
  • 30.4 Procedures for Torch Soldering
  • Chapter 30 Summary
  • Chapter 30 Review Questions
• Section 7 Welding in Industry
• Chapter 31 Pipe and Tube Welding
• • Chapter 31 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 31 Key Terms
  • 31.1 Pipes and Tubes
  • 31.2 Preparations for Welding
  • 31.3 SMAW of Pipe and Tube
  • 31.4 GMAW and FCAW of Pipe and Tube
  • 31.5 GTAW of Pipe and Tube
  • Chapter 31 Summary
  • Chapter 31 Review Questions
• Chapter 32 Robotics in Welding
• • Chapter 32 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 32 Key Terms
  • 32.1 Robots
  • 32.2 Robotic Welding Systems
  • Chapter 32 Summary
  • Chapter 32 Review Questions
• Chapter 33 Additional Welding and Cutting Processes
• • Chapter 33 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 33 Key Terms
  • 33.1 Purpose of Additional Processes
  • 33.2 Arc Welding Processes
  • 33.3 Solid-State Welding Processes
  • 33.4 Resistance Spot Welding
  • 33.5 High Energy Beam Welding
  • 33.6 Additional Cutting Processes
  • Chapter 33 Summary
  • Chapter 33 Review Questions
• Chapter 34 Inspecting and Testing Welds
• • Chapter 34 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 34 Key Terms
  • 34.1 Inspecting Welds
  • 34.2 Nondestructive Examination
  • 34.3 Destructive Tests
  • Chapter 34 Summary
  • Chapter 34 Review Questions
• Chapter 35 Welder Certification
• • Chapter 35 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 35 Key Terms
  • 35.1 Codes and Standards
  • 35.2 Welding Procedure Specification
  • 35.3 Performance Qualification Test
  • 35.4 Employment Considerations
  • Chapter 35 Summary
  • Chapter 35 Review Questions
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Glossary of Key Terms
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • Z
• Index
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
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