the welding of nonferrous and ferrous metal parts of small thickness (less than 0.5 mm) and cross section (up to 10 sq mm); also, the welding of metal parts to semiconductor crystals. Optical instruments (such as a loupe or microscope) mounted on the welding machine are used in microwelding.

Microwelding may be done by the pressure-contact, electric, electrostatic, cold, ultrasonic, thermocompression, electron-beam, or laser methods, as well as their combinations, depending on the characteristics of the items being welded, and also on technological requirements. It is used in the electronic and radio-engineering industries and in instrument-making.