Why did World War II increase the use of arc welding?

During World War II, the use of arc welding expanded significantly due to the urgent wartime demand for rapid construction methods.1

The necessity to quickly produce large quantities of shipping, power plants, transportation equipment, and various structures spurred essential development work in welding technology. Prior to this period, traditional fastening methods like riveting had notable disadvantages, particularly for enclosed containers such as boilers. The refinement of arc welding processes allowed for the creation of continuous, strong joints on large steel plates, which proved far more efficient for mass production than older, slower joining techniques.12

This shift was supported by earlier advancements in electrode technology, specifically the development of coated electrodes that prevented the brittle welds associated with the bare wires used in the early 20th century. By the 1940s, these improvements made arc welding a reliable and indispensable tool for industrial fabrication.12