New River Community College offers state-of-the-art training in welding technology. Career opportunities in the welding and metal fabrication field continue to be in high demand throughout Virginia and across the United States.

You can look forward to a challenging and financially rewarding future by enrolling in one of Virginia's best welding programs. Graduates of this program are certified in two national welding codes: The American Welding Society's (AWS) D1.1, Structural Welding Code - Steel and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code, Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications.

For more information about NRCC's welding program, call Joshua Graham: (540) 674-3600, ext. 4314 or email: jgraham@nr.edu

NRCC Welding TECHNOLOGY COURSES:

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Not sure which courses you need to take? Talk with an academic advisor for assistance or visit the catalog and choose your program of study.

Welding Processes

Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Shielded Metal Arc Welding is the most common method of joining metals. “Stick” welding as it is commonly referred, is an arc welding process with the arc between a covered electrode and the weld pool. SMAW uses shielding from the decomposition of the electrode covering, and filler metal from the electrode. Using the SMAW process the welder can rapidly make high quality welds on various types of metals with varying thicknesses in all positions with excellent uniformity.

Gas Metal Arc Welding

Also known as “MIG” welding, this process, because it uses an arc between a continuous filler wire and the weld pool, is extremely fast and economical. GMAW is often used in production work due to its speed, versatility and ease of use. The process is used with shielding from an externally supplied gas and is used to weld on a variety of metal thicknesses from thin-gauge metal to heavy plate metal in any position.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, often referred to as “TIG” welding, can be used on almost any metal. An arc between a non-consumable electrode (tungsten) and the weld pool produces high-quality welds that require little or no post-weld finishing. This process uses a shielding gas to protect the weld pool.

Flux Cored Arc Welding

The flux cored arc welding process is similar to the GMAW process and uses the same type of equipment as GMAW. FCAW also uses an arc between a continuous filler wire and the weld pool. This process is used with shielding gas from a flux contained within the tubular electrode, and can also use an externally supplied gas (dual shield wire).

Air Carbon Arc Cutting

The air carbon arc cutting process (CAC-A) physically removes metal by gouging or cutting. An arc is created between the workpiece and a carbon electrode resulting in intense heat that melts the intended area of the workpiece. As the cut is performed, air passes through the arc and disperses molten material. The air carbon-arc process can gouge or cut metals that the oxy-fuel methods cannot. This method is most commonly used on carbon steel, stainless steel, many copper alloys and cast iron.

Supplies for Welding Classes

Supplies for WEL 150

• 6 or 12" Ruler, Graduated to at Least 1/32
• Compass
• Protractor
• Guide Line Paper 1/4" Squares
• Engineering Graph Paper (3 sheets)
• Metric Graph Paper (3 sheets)
• Binder w/Notebook Paper
• Pencils, #2 for Drawing
• 30/60/90 Triangle
• 45/45/90 Triangle
• Simple Calculator
• Eraser

Supplies for Various Welding Classes

• Safety Glasses
• Gauntlet-Type Welding Gloves
• Leather Palmed Work Gloves
• Cotton or Wool Personal Clothing without Tears, Frays or Rips
• Welding Hat
• Hearing Protection
• High-top, Steel-toed Leather Boots without Nylon Vents
• Welding Helmet with Shaded Lenses and Tinted Lenses
• Welding Jacket
• Dust Mask or Respirator for Welding
• Ear Plugs
• Magnetic Gusset for Fitting “T” Joints
• Scribe
• Soap Stone
• Large Pliers/channel Lock Pliers, for Moving Hot Metal Plates
• (2)C-clamps and/or C-clamp Vise Grip
• Tape Measurer
• Combination Square
• Wire Brushes, Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel
• MIG Pliers
• Bucket or Tool Bag for Your Tools and Equipment