Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. The process of welding two pieces of metal together using the heat generated by an electric arc between two electrodes.
Wikipedia
Arc welding is a type of welding that uses a welding power supply to create an electric arc between an electrode and the base material to melt the metals at the welding point. They can use either direct (DC) or alternating (AC) current, and consumable or non-consumable electrodes. The welding region is usually protected by some type of shielding gas, vapor, or slag. Arc welding processes may be manual, semi-automatic, or fully automated. First developed in the late part of the 19th century, arc welding became commercially important in shipbuilding during the Second World War. Today it remains an important process for the fabrication of steel structures and vehicles.
Usage examples of "arc welding".
There was a cutting torch, an arc welding unit and enough scrap metal to justify a slowship shipment back to Japan on Old Earth.
He could put a green-glass shade over the windows while he was arc welding.
This process uses a Lincoln submerged arc welding head to run both inside and outside beads automatically.
Then to Charlie's amazement a shower of sparks burst forth from the side of the box accompanied by a hissing sound similar to arc welding.