Abstract: In a method for plasma-arc welding of metals with a direct or indirect arc, used as a plasma-producing medium is the vapor of a water-containing fluid doped with an organic solvent appearing as oxygen-containing hydrocarbon compounds, in particular, alcohols, and vapors are generated immediately in the plasma-arc torch.

Abstract: In a method for the plasmic welding of metals with a straight-polarity direct electric arc used as a plasma-producing medium is water vapor generated directly in the welding torch by virtue of heat energy evolved by the pilot arc on the nozzle--anode, and the resultant plasma jet is controlled by varying the pilot arc current.

Abstract: The electric-arc plasma-steam torch has a housing accommodating coaxially arranged therein a nozzle anode and a cathode made fast in a holder. The housing communicates, via a pipe connector filled with a porous heat-conducting material, with a container. The container is filled with a moisture absorbent material which encompasses a tube running therethrough and made of a heat-conducting material. The tube has a flange at its end facing the nozzle anode. The flange is provided with passages on its end surface facing the nozzle anode. The aforementioned cathode holder is accommodated in the tube and is electrically insulated therefrom. A sleeve made of a heat-conducting material is interposed between the nozzle anode and the tube flange. The sleeve has passages on its outside cylindrical surface and on the surface contacting the nozzle anode.