The distance from the welding electrode to the base metal.

Lenses in welding helmets that are triggered to darken by the welding flash.

Removing part of a square edge to create a sloping edge that provides better weld penetration.

A joint welded between two pieces of metal positioned approximately in the same plane, with a gap between the two parallel edges.

A welding machine that provides an even, or constant, supply of amperage to the electrode.

A joint between two members located perpendicular or at an angle to each other.

A small, rectangular piece of flat plate used as a practice pad to practice welding techniques.

A severe, unacceptable discontinuity that is sharp at the edges, concentrating points of stress.

Weld testing that destroys the welded joint, including sectioning, bending, or breaking the component in order to evaluate various mechanical or physical properties of the welded metal.

Breaks in the consistency of a welded bead.

A rating that indicates how long a welding machine can be used at a given output current without damaging it.

A joint formed when the edges of two or more parallel, or almost parallel, members are welded along one of the flush edges.

In SMAW, a consumable metal rod used to combine with the base metal, forming the weld pool. Also called welding rod.

An insulated clamp that holds the welding electrode.

A type of electrode with a heavy iron powder flux. The flux increases the deposition rate and produces a thick, easily removed slag that promotes the formation of a very smooth bead. Also called cover rod.

A type of electrode that contains a thin flux that burns away rapidly, providing deep penetration and a moderate amount of fill. It is preferred for out- of-position welding.

Iron-containing.

A weld in which the weld bead is positioned at the intersection of two parts.

A type of electrode that provides a moderate deposition rate and produces beads with uniform ripple patterns. These electrodes are used on sheet metal because they minimize warpage.

A coating on an electrode that reacts chemically in the heat of the arc, using up the oxygen in the vicinity of the weld to create an oxygen-free shield of gas around the molten weld pool.

A weld bead that passes completely through the gap between the two edges to be welded.

The area around the weld that is heated during the welding process.

Foreign materials, such as slag, that are trapped within the finished weld and weaken the weld.

A weld discontinuity in which blending does not occur between the weld metal and joint faces or adjoining weld beads.

Failure of the filler metal or base metal to fill the weld root completely.

A power source that passes single-phase or three-phase AC power through a bridge rectifier to create a DC current.

A rounded enlargement that appears in the opening just ahead of the weld pool.

A joint formed between two overlapping parts.

A type of weld testing in which the weld remains intact (is not destroyed).

Welding performed in any welding position other than the flat position.

A weld discontinuity that consists of a protrusion and notch in the weld metal beyond the weld toe, or weld root, which results in a concentration of internal stresses.

the direction of flow (positive or negative) of electric current.

A cavity-type discontinuity formed by gas trapped in the molten weld, resulting in bubbles or pockets as the weld solidifies.

A type of weld testing that uses X-rays to penetrate through the weld to show an image of the internal structure of the joint.

A heat- and humidity- controlled storage container that prevents low-hydrogen electrodes from absorbing excess moisture and preserves their low-hydrogen properties.

The first weld bead in a multiple-pass weld, placed directly in the joint between the plates.

A welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in a flux and an electric arc to form the welded bead.

Waste matter produced during the SMAW process.

Metal waste droplets around the area of the weld bead.

A weld bead that is straight and narrow. It is made with minimal side-to-side movement.

A very short, temporary weld bead used to hold parts in place while welding.

Blending of the weld pool with the sidewalls of the joint.

A joint made between two metal parts located approximately at right angles to each other in the form of a T.

The oldest type of welding machine, which produces welding current using a step-down transformer.

The rate of forward motion during welding.

A type of weld testing in which a stream of ultrasonic energy is directed into the weld to reveal discontinuities.

A poorly shaped weld bead, including improper contour, undercut, and overlap.

Poor tie-in, so that the outside edge of the welded bead is concave or recessed.

A relatively wide weld bead that is formed using a weave pattern created by moving from side to side in a continuous series of partially overlapping semicircles.

A weld bead pattern created by repeated electrode motion.

Specifications that include the information a welder needs to perform a specific job, including how to position the weld

The flow of electricity that results in the welding arc.

Weld discontinuities that are of an unacceptable size or in an unacceptable location.

The cables that connect the welding power source to the work.

A document that outlines the parameters or conditions of a welding certification test