SMAW NC II
WELDING
TECHNIQUES
Weld Bead
• A weld resulting from a pass
Stringer Bead
Weave Bead
Techniques
• Stringer (drag) (whip)
• Weave
• Circles
• crescent
• zig zag
• convix
Passes
• Weld Pass - A single progression of welding along a joint. The result
of a pass is a weld bead or layer
Fill Pass Cover Pass
Root Pass Hot Pass
• Root pass simply refers to the 1st pass in any weld process
• hot pass is defined as the 2nd pass on the welding process that is
done to cover the root weld.
• fill pass, it is the amount of weld bead necessary
to fill the weld joint. This pass comes after the hot pass and before
the cap pass
• A cover pass is a: thin weave or a series of passes used as the final
layer of weld metal
• Cap - the last bead of a groove weld, it can be made with a weave
motion back and forth, or with stringer beads tied into each other.
•BASIC WELDING POSITION
Flat Position
Fillet/Groove - stringer or weave, split bead or wide weave
Horizontal
Fillet/Groove - stringers (small weave may be used in tight place)
Bead Placement - bottom to top
Vertical
Overhead
Same as horizontal for Fillets
6010 open root whip for flat face and
keyhole control
7018’s stringers
OH Butt Joints can be stringers or weaves
Dimensions
• Reinforcement -ASME flush 1/16 AWS flush 1/8
discuss keyholeing, metallic backing, nonmetallic
backing, partial penetration, root openings, root
faces, tacking, tack grinding, fast freeze, and fill
freeze
• Fill -as many as needed 1/8 per pass flat overload
3/16 vertical
• Cover -flush 1/16 high, 1/16 past edge
Butt Joint Preperation
(Joints without backing)
600 included angle
Root faces
Tacking
Feather Tacks
1/16-1/8
Open Root Technique
• First make a keyhole
• Whip forwards to reduce penetration
• Whip backwards for penetration
• Use dragging method and follow exact keyhole with slight circular
movement of electrode
• Maintain a short arc gap
• Stay slightly in front of the puddle at all times.
• Do Not Weave a root pass
Restarts
•Stagger all starts and stops or use run-on, run-off tabs
•Feather all restarts & start on top, or start in front and
remelt
•Don’t restart in a coupon area.
•Also stagger all beads on a single pass.
•Use a longer arc length when starting a weld.
Compare interpass grinding
techniques vs. techniques for
no interpass grinding.
Craters
• Fill craters by reversing direction at the weld end
• Use a short arc length to control heat.
Electrode Work Angles
700
300
450
Transverse Angle Effects
Electrode Travel Angles
Drag Angle increases Penetration Push Angle gives shallow
penetration, and flattens out
Increases crown height
the weld surface.
Electrode (arc) Placement
Current takes the path of least resistance. Therefore,
the arc, and resulting weld, will go where the
electrode end is closest to, NOT NECESSARILY
IN THE DIRECTION THE ELECTRODE IS
POINTING
Arc Length
•Longer arc lengths = increased puddle heat, flatter welds,
deeper penetration
•Shorter arc lengths = less puddle heat, flatter welds, less
penetration
•Use arc length to control puddle size, penetration, and burn
through.
•Normal arc length is 1/16” - 1/8”
•Use a slightly longer arc length during a start or restart.
Helpful Tips
•Clean your Welding Hood lens
•Drape the cable over your shoulder or knee
•Get Comfortable
•Watch the puddle, not the arc
•Concentrate on steady travel speed and arc length
SMAW
Pipe Welding
Techniques
Positions
• 1G
• 1F
• 2G
• 5G • 2F
• 6G
• 2FR
• 4F
• 5F
1G Position
Pipe rotated, Electrode is always at the top
Either a split bead or weave technique may be used
2G Position
Pipe Axis Vertical, Weld is
Horizontal, Pipe is considered in a
“fixed” position.
Always use a split bead technique
Always work from the bottom up.
5G Position
Axis of the Pipe is Horizontal, The weld in vertical.
Progression may be up or down.
A weave bead is best used.
6G Position
Pipe axis is fixed in position
at a 45 degree incline. Thhe
position includes flat,
horizontal, vertical, and
overhead welds.
A split bead tecvhnique is
best used.
1F Position
Pipe is rotated. The pipe
axis is at a 45 degree
incline. Welding is to
occur at the top of the
pipe.
Split bead or weave
technique may be used.
2F Position
Fixed Position
Best to use a split
bead technique
2FR Position
A split bead
technique is best
used.
Rotated
4F Position
A split bead technique is best used
5F Position
Not Rotated. Progression
may be up or down.
Split beads or weaves can
be used on 5F-up welds,
split beads are best used
on 5F-down welds.
Fill Pass Cover Pass
Root Pass Hot Pass
Always work from the bottom up
when using the split bead technique
Always be careful not to create a
tight area where slag may get
trapped under the next weld.
It is better to weave slightly than to
leave a tight area.
Plan your sequence of
beads!
Always work toward the smaller
side of the fillet. (It will be easier to
get to)
Always be careful not to create a
tight area where slag may get
trapped under the next weld.
It is better to weave slightly than to
leave a tight area.
Plan your sequence of
beads!
Techniques
• Stringer (push, drag, or whip), or Weave
Progression (vertical)
Up
deeper penetration
Higher deposit rate (lb/hr)
Use near 90 degree travel angle or slightly up
Down
faster (point to point)
less penetration for thin metal
less dilution
Use steep drag angle
Travel Speed
• Stay on the leading edge of the puddle
Keyholeing
Root Openings
• Small will allow more amperage which will in turn make welding
smoother and easier, as well as easier arc starts.
• Larger root openings will allow more penetration.
Root Faces
• Larger root faces will allow more amperage which will in turn make
welding smoother and easier, as well as easier arc starts.
• Smaller root faces will allow more penetration.
Tacking, Tack Grinding
• 3/4” long
• feather both ends
• clean and flatten tops
• start on top, burn through before end
• run completely onto tack before stopping
• grind lumps off before next pass
• stagger all starts and stops between passes
• stagger all starts and stops between beads in a single pass
• Don’t overgrind tacks.
Butt Joint Preperation
(With Backing)
Root faces - 0
450 included angle
Remove all mill scales and rust
Tacking - not in groove
Tack away from coupon area.
Flush on backing
Butt Joint Preperation
(Joints without backing)
600 included angle
Root faces
Tacking
Feather Tacks
1/16-1/8
Open Root Technique
• Use root opening to allow increase in amperage for smoother
welding
• Whip backwards for penetration
• Whip forwards to reduce penetration
• Do Not Weave a root pass.
• Maintain a short arc gap
• Stay slightly in front of the puddle at all times. Use the keyholing
technique.
Restarts
•Stagger all starts and stops or use runon, runoff tabs
•Feather all restarts & start on top, or start in front and
remelt
•Also stagger all beads on a single pass.
•Use a longer arc length when starting a weld.
Craters
• Fill craters by welding into the previous weld start
• Use a short arc length to control heat.
Wagon Tracks
Watch these areas. Be sure to keep it melted into these spots.
Electrode Angles
• Up Progression - always
point toward center of
Pipe
• Down Progression - use
a steep drag angle
Arc Length
•Longer arc lengths = increased puddle heat, flatter welds,
deeper penetration
•Shorter arc lengths = less puddle heat, flatter welds, less
penetration
•Use arc length to control puddle size, penetration, and burn
through.
•Normal arc length is 1/16” - 1/8”
•Use a slightly longer arc length during a start or restart.
Helpful Tips
•Clean your Welding Hood lens
•Drape the cable over your shoulder or knee
•Get Comfortable
•Watch the puddle, not the arc
•Concentrate on steady travel speed and arc length
BACK
TO
WELDING
TERMINOLOGY
