Advantages and Disadvantages of Welded Joints over Riveted Joints

In the previous article, we have discussed the riveted Joint, which is a permanent type joint. In this article, we will discuss the different Advantages and Disadvantages of Welded Joints over Riveted Joints.

First of all, what is a Welded Joint?

Welded Joint

• A welded joint is a permanent joint.
• This welded joint can be made by the fusion of the edges of the two parts to be joined together, with or without the application of pressure and filler material.
• The heat required for the fusion of the material may be obtained by burning of gas (in case of gas welding) or by an electric arc (in case of electric arc welding).
• The latter method is extensively used because of greater speed of welding.
• Welding is extensively used in fabrication as an alternative method for casting or forging and as a replacement for bolted and riveted joints.
• It is also used as a repair medium. Following are the examples.
  • To reunite metal at a crack.
  • To build up a small part that has broken off such as gear tooth.
  • To repair a worn surface such as a bearing surface.

Now let us discuss some of the advantages of the Welded Joint, to understand why we need to prefer this permanent joining over the other jointing methods such as the Riveting Method.

Advantages of Welded Joints

Following are the advantages of welded joints over riveted joints.

1. Since there are no other connecting components or gussets, the welded structures are usually lighter than riveted structures.
2. The welded joints provide maximum efficiency (even 100% as strong as original material) which is not possible in case of riveted joints.
3. Alterations and additions can be easily made in the existing structures with the welding.
4. As the welded structure is smooth in appearance, therefore it looks pleasing.
5. In welded connections, the tension members are not weakened as in the case of riveted joints.
6. A welded joint has a great strength. Often a welded joint has the strength of the parentmetal itself.
7. Structures with the circular shaped pipes are not suitable for riveting. But they can be easily welded.
8. The welding provides very rigid joints. This is in line with the modern trend of providing rigid frames.
9. It is possible to weld any part of a structure at any point. But riveting requires enough clearance to make riveting.
10. The process of welding takes less time than the riveting.

These are the great advantages of the Welded Joint. These are the great reason we should prefer, Welding over Riveting in most cases. But this welded joint also has some drawbacks. Let us see what drawbacks that the welding process possesses.

Disadvantages of Welded Joints

1. Since there is an uneven heating and cooling during fabrication, therefore the members may get distorted or additional stresses may develop.
2. It requires a highly skilled labour and supervision for welding process.
3. Since no provision is kept for expansion and contraction in the frame, therefore there is a possibility of cracks developing in it.
4. The welding work inspection is more difficult than riveting work inspection.

Conclusion

With so many great advantages with the Welded joint, there are considerable drawbacks that are unavoidable with some applications. So, what do you think about these Advantages and Disadvantages of Welded Joints over Riveted Joints? Let us know in the comment section, please.