Tweco 400 TS Arcmaster User Manual
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10.02 Stick Welding Problems
Description
Possible
Cause
Remedy
1 Gas pockets or
voids in weld metal
(Porosity).
A
B
C
Electrodes are damp.
Welding current is too high.
Surface impurities such as oil,
grease, paint, etc.
A
B
C
Dry electrodes before use.
Reduce welding current.
Clean joint before welding.
2 Crack occurring in
weld metal soon
after solidification
commences.
A
B
C
Rigidity of joint.
Insufficient throat thickness.
Cooling rate is too high.
A
B
C
Redesign to relieve weld joint of
severe stresses or use crack
resistance electrodes.
Travel slightly slower to allow
greater build up in throat.
Preheat plate and cool slowly.
3 A gap is left by failure
of the weld metal to fill
the root of the weld.
A
B
C
Welding current is too low.
Electrode too large for joint.
Insufficient gap.
A
B
C
Increase welding current
Use smaller diameter electrode.
Allow wider gap.
D Incorrect sequence.
D Use correct build-up sequence.
Figure 8. Example of Insufficient Gap or Incorrect Sequence
4 Portions of the weld
run do not fuse to the
surface of the metal
or edge of the joint.
A
B
Small electrodes used on heavy
cold plate.
Welding current is too low.
A
B
Use larger electrodes and
pre-heat the plate.
Increase welding current.
C Wrong electrode angle.
C Adjust angle so the welding arc is
directed more into the base metal.
D Travel speed of electrode is
too high.
D Reduce travel speed of electrode.
E Scale or dirt on joint surface.
E Clean surface before welding.
Figure 9. Example of Lack of Fusion