SMAW Safety/Vocab.
At a MINIMUM, what "shade" should your welding mask be set at?
10 or higher
What is a weld?
A localized fusion of metals produced by heating to suitable temperatures.
What are the three different electrical currents you can run you welder in?
AC = Alternating current
DC- = Direct Current Straight Polarity
DC+ = Direct Current Reverse Polarity
When done properly on steel, does welding result in a weld stronger or weaker than the surrounding base metal?
Stronger
The first two numbers in the four number sequence on an electrode/stick tells you what?
Tensile strength
This is a way to keep yourself protected from electric shock.
Do not touch metal of electrode holder with skin or wet clothing; Keep dry insulation between skin and base metal/ground
This is the portion of a structure in which separate base metal parts are joined.
Joint
When working in DC+, which component is the positively charged end, and which is the negative? (Electrode holder, ground clamp)
Electrode Holder = Positive charge (+)
Ground Clamp = Negative charge (-)
In the welding process, where should a welder watch to correctly manipulate the weld?
The weld puddle
List 2 advantages of stick welding compared to MIG or TIG
Low initial cost, Portable, Easy to use outdoors, All position capabilities, Easy to change between many base materials
This is a way to keep yourself protected from fumes and gasses when stick welding.
Keep head away from fumes, and use a proper ventilation system
What is undercut in a weld?
A groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe or weld root that is left unfilled by weld metal.
When working in DC+ (reverse polarity), what percent of the electrical current is located in the work/ground, what percent is in the electrode?
Work/ground: 30%
Electrode: 70%
This is a combination of the flux coating and impurities from the base metal that float to the surface of the weld.
Slag
The third number in the four number sequence on an electrode/stick tells you what?
Positions you can use this electrode for
1 = All positions
2 = Flat and Horizontal
Name the four positions you can work in to weld plates together?
Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead
This is the appearance of tiny bubbles on a weld bead as a result of gas entrapment.
Porosity
Which number in the four digit sequence on an electrode/stick tells you information about which current to use? (AC, DC+, DC-)
The fourth number, the last number
What are the two different methods to successfully strike an arc?
Scratch Start and Tap Start
What are 2 limitations of stick welding compared to MIG and TIG?
Lower consumable efficiency, Difficult to weld very thin materials, Frequent restarts, Lower operating factor, Higher operator skill required for SMAW than some other processes
A cleaning agent used to dissolve oxides, release trapped gases and slag, and to cleanse metals for welding
This is the arrangement of direct current arc welding, in which the work is the negative pole and the electrode is the positive pole of the welding arc.
DC+ Reverse Polarity
When welding, the electrode (stick) actually floats about 1/8 of an inch above the base metal. What allows the weld to stay stable/continue, even though the circuit isn't "closed"?
The shielding gas made from the flux creates a protective bubble, blocking the current from the outside atmosphere.
What are the four variables in welding that the operator can control?
Work angle, Travel angle, Arc length, Travel speed
If I see a weld that contaings high amounts of spatter, possible burn through, and undercut, what is most likely the problem and solution?
This means that your welding machine is too "Hot" and is set at too high of an amperage. Turn down the amperage and run practice beads until you correct the problem.