The field of Welding Engineering

Welding Engineering is one of the programs in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Ohio State. While many think of welding in terms of a process, it is actually a complex engineering discipline that involves aspects of materials science, design, inspection, mechanical and electronic systems, lasers, and robots.

It has been estimated that welding engineering impacts more than 50 percent of the products manufactured in the United States. Almost every segment of our economy depends, to some degree, on welding and materials joining.

Welding Engineering is much more than
"Arcs and Sparks!"

 

While many people think of welding in terms of a process, it is in practice a complex engineering discipline that involves aspects of materials science and metallurgy, lasers, design, inspection and quality assurance, and mechanical, electrical and electronic systems.

Welding engineers use their advanced science and math skills to solve problems, and they must understand the properties behind welds to ensure that welded structures are safe and a benefit to society. Welding engineers have expertise in materials science, including steels, nonferrous alloys and polymeric materials, and in process technology, including arc welding, lasers, resistance welding, brazing and soldering. They also are experts in robotics, from programming and applications to sensors and controls.

Welding Engineering is, in practice,
a complex engineering discipline

 

 

Students enrolled in the Welding Engineering program at Ohio State University are trained to help develop solutions to the manufacturing challenges of the 21st century. This includes pipelines, pressure vessels, aircraft, turbine engines, automobiles, off-road equipment, microelectronic devices, welding machines and robots.

Ohio State has the only ABET accredited undergraduate welding engineering program in North America, and also offers advanced degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.). It is recognized worldwide and its welding engineering graduates are highly valued by industry. It is a unique program for unique people who enjoy the hands-on, problem-solving, get-it-done aspects of engineering.

Additional resources

 

The American Welding Society - Student Membership Information

History of Welding and Brazing - with links to images, media, timelines, and other resources.

Differences Between a Welding Engineer and a Certified Welder - blog article by a LeTourneau University Welding Engineer

Literature

Welding Journal article Oct 2014

/media/document/2021-12-02/we_at_osu-welding_journal-october2014.pdf
"Meeting the Demand for Welding Engineers"
An in-depth article written by WE professors at Ohio State and published in Welding Journal (Oct. 2014)