What does the term 'welding' refer to in pipefitting?

In pipefitting, the term 'welding' specifically refers to the process of joining materials together, particularly metals. This is accomplished by melting the workpieces at their joining point and allowing them to cool so that they fuse into a single piece. Welding is crucial in pipefitting, as it creates robust and leak-proof connections between pipes, which are essential for the integrity and safety of fluid transportation systems.

Welding techniques can vary depending on the materials being joined and the requirements of the application, but the fundamental principle remains the same: heating materials to form a joint. This distinguishes welding from other processes, such as cutting materials or applying coatings, which serve different purposes within the realm of pipefitting and fabrication.