Posted by Robert Hernandez on Sep 13th 2026
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ND:Yag | Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, a material used to make one type of laser. |
| Newton | (N) The unit of force that is used in the SI metric system. |
| Nonconsumable electrode | An electrode that does not melt and become part of the weld. A TIG (GTAW) tungsten electrode is an example. |
| Noncorrosive flux | A welding flux which itself does not, and with residue that does not, chemically attack the base metal. |
| Nondestructive test | (NDT) A means of testing for defects that does not damage or destroy the weld. |
| Nonferrous | Metals containing no substantial amounts of ferrite or iron such as copper, brass, bronze and aluminum. |
| Non-petroleum-based | Made from materials that do not contain petroleum or petroleum products. |
| Nontransferred arc | In plasma arc welding or spraying, an arc established between the electrode and the constricting nozzle. The workpiece is not a part of the circuit. |
| Normalizing | A heat treating process to eliminate internal stresses and create uniform grain size. Cooling is more rapid than in the annealing process. |
| Nozzle | In arc welding, the nozzle is typically referred to as the shielding gas nozzle or gas cup. In TIG (GTAW) welding, the gas nozzles are usually made of ceramic materials to resist heat and to insulate while directing the shielding gas flow. MIG (GMAW) nozzles are typically made of copper or brass for durability and are electrically insulated with an inner sleeve of high-temperature insulating material. These nozzles direct the shielding gas flow and can either be threaded on or pushed onto the gun. |
