Metalworkers and welders A–Z dictionary
UK trade reference · plain English
Metalwork drawings should identify material, dimensions, connections, finish and the intended load or use. A tidy weld is not by itself evidence that a structural connection is adequate. Fabrication, structural design, site installation and corrosion protection are distinct responsibilities which need coordination. Hot work and surface preparation require suitable risk control. These definitions help a customer or adjacent trade interpret a scope, not select an unverified welding procedure.
This A–Z combines useful technical vocabulary with links to full references where the article meets our depth and sourcing checks. An unlinked definition is intentionally kept here rather than turned into a shallow standalone page. Read a quotation against its actual scope: a familiar word is not a complete specification.
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B
- Base metal
- The material being joined or worked, distinct from a filler material or surface coating.
C
- Corrosion protection
- A specified system limiting deterioration in the intended environment. Surface preparation and maintenance affect its performance.
F
- Fabrication
- Making components or assemblies from a design using suitable cutting, forming and joining processes.
- Fillet weld
- A weld form associated with particular joint configurations. Its required dimensions and quality follow the design and procedure.
G
- Galvanising
- Applying a zinc-based protective coating through a specified process. Detailing and service exposure still affect suitability.
- Getting into welding
- Welding joins materials using a controlled process suitable for the component and service. Different materials, joint types, positions and industries need different competence. A career route should develop preparation, procedure-following and inspection as well as producing a visually neat bead.
H
- Heat affected zone
- Material next to a weld whose properties can be changed by the thermal cycle, even where it did not melt.
S
- Shop drawing
- A drawing describing components and fabrication details. It must agree with the approved design and actual site interfaces.
- Steel fabrication
- Steel fabrication is the process of turning steel sections or plate into components by cutting, drilling, forming and joining. A fabricated item may be structural, decorative or functional.
W
- Welding procedure
- A defined approach for making a joint with specified materials and conditions, not simply a machine setting copied from another job.
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Sources and further reading
Linked article sources support the technical background; informal usage is editorial and varies by region. Full specification and legal requirements must be checked in the original.
Sources checked: 8 November 2026. General reference, not instructions for safety-critical DIY. National regulations and current standards must be checked for the project.
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