Referring to the illustrative form of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 3, such apparatus, as indi cated, is particularly designed for the welding together of the juxtaposed ends of two pipe sectionsP and P. The essential element of the apparatus 'comprisesan annular or ring-likeelectrade 1 which may be made of carbon or graphite, but will preferably be ma'de'of hardened steel, since it has been foun