Welding Journal – September 2026

Summary

Sphere, Las Vegas — the symbol of FABTECH 2026 preview dominates Volume 105, Number 9 of Welding Journal, with a composite cover image of the iconic venue. R. Pascal opens the feature well with "Behind Vegas's Bright Lights," a 6-page walk-through of what attendees can expect September 23-27 at the Lazy E Arena.

This September 2026 issue stacks three feature articles — the FABTECH preview, the AWS Foundation's strategic pivot under S. Mercado, and a technical comparison of plasma gouging versus carbon arc by H. Mellott and J. Santana — against a dense back-of-book research supplement. Three peer-reviewed papers anchor the supplement: Gleeble simulation of HFI welding of TRIP 690, ultrasonic impact treatment for stress modification, and a DNN model for flux viscosity prediction.

Regular departments run 20 pages deep, from Education 411 and Stainless Q&A to RWMA Spotlight and Product & Print Spotlight. A. Brown's Point of View column tackles the welder retention playbook — a practical angle for shop owners struggling to keep skilled labor. The Conference Countdown previews the ITSA Symposium on wear and surface engineering. SkillsUSA coverage connects classroom training to competition.

Content Guide

▸ FABTECH Preview / Industry

p.24 · Behind Vegas's Bright Lights
R. Pascal surveys the FABTECH 2026 floor before the doors open at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Sessions on automation integration, filler metal selection, and robotic cell layout are flagged. The piece includes a pull-out map of exhibitor zones and stage schedules. Plan your Wednesday morning around the live welding demos on the show floor.

p.30 · The AWS Foundation Builds on Legacy to Shape Its Future
S. Mercado outlines the Foundation's new scholarship tracks for underrepresented students and its $500,000 workforce development grant cycle. The article names specific partner schools and the application deadlines for the 2027 cycle. Check the QR code on page 31 for the direct grant portal.

p.32 · Plasma Gouging Proves a Modern Alternative to Carbon Arc
H. Mellott and J. Santana run side-by-side lab comparisons on gouging speed, fume generation, and clean-up time across ½-inch and 1-inch plate. Data tables show plasma gouging removing metal 22% faster on carbon steel with noticeably less post-gouge grinding. Switch to plasma gouging for heavy plate back-gouging and measure your own cycle-time gain.

▸ Technical / Research Supplement

p.229-s · Gleeble Physical Simulation of High-Frequency Induction Welding of TRIP 690
S. Faique Al Hussain and co-authors use Gleeble thermomechanical simulation to model the HFI weld cycle for transformation-induced plasticity steel. The paper reports peak temperatures, cooling rates, and phase fractions that correlate with production-line weld quality. Use the Gleeble parameters as a starting setpoint when tuning your own TRIP 690 induction line.

p.245-s · Examining Stress Modification in Dissimilar and Metal Welds through Ultrasonic Impact Treatment
H. Eisazadeh et al. apply UIT to Inconel-stainless steel joints and measure residual stress reduction using X-ray diffraction. The data show a 40-60% compressive stress improvement in the treated zone. Specify UIT as a post-weld treatment for critical dissimilar-metal pressure vessel welds.

p.256-s · A Structure-Informed DNN Model for Welding Flux Viscosity Prediction
H. Liu et al. train a deep neural network on 1,200 published flux compositions to predict viscosity at 1,300-1,500 degrees C. The model achieves R-squared above 0.94 across basic, rutile, and acid flux systems. Feed your own flux formula into the online predictor linked in the paper before ordering a custom batch.

▸ Regular Columns

p.12 · Point of View: The Modern-Day Welder Retention Playbook
A. Brown lists five concrete retention tactics — shift differentials, paid certification testing, apprentice mentorship structures, tool allowances, and clear career-path signage. Each tactic includes a cost estimate and a projected retention lift. Implement the apprenticeship-mentorship pairing first; Brown says it delivers the fastest ROI.

p.60 · Conference Countdown: ITSA Symposium Highlights
A. Hunsaker previews the International Thermal Spray Association symposium sessions on wear-resistant coatings, repair of large components, and surface engineering for extreme environments. Speaker names and paper titles are listed. Register before October 1 for the early-bird rate.

Editor's Take

This FABTECH preview issue does its job — Vegas logistics, exhibitor intelligence, and a solid research supplement — but the three feature articles fronting the book feel thin next to the 12 peer-reviewed supplement pages. The real weight is in the back: the DNN flux model and the UIT stress paper are genuinely useful for engineers with computational or NDE roles. The Point of View retention piece is the one column every shop owner should photocopy and post on the breakroom fridge. Ad density is moderate; the product spotlight pages blend vendor content with editorial picks.

Strengths
• Three peer-reviewed papers with production-ready data tables
• Point of View welder retention column with costed tactics
• SkillsUSA section connects classroom welding to national competition

Weaknesses
• Feature articles short on depth; most substance sits in the supplement
• Stainless Q&A and RWMA Spotlight repeat topics covered in recent issues

Verdict: Recommended — The research supplement and retention column justify the cover price for production engineers and shop owners.