a

alloy : It is an element added to a metal. An example is mild steel with chromium (resist rust), and nickel (makes it less susceptible to oxidation which is rust) which makes a form of stainless steel.(the most common stainless is 304)

all-weld-metal test specimen : A test specimen with the reduced section composed wholly of weld metal.

alternating Current : It reverses back and forth from positive to negative on a sine wave. It makes for an erratic arc on most welding processes and that is why DC is preferred.

amperage : It measures electricity flowing and is the same as current, which is your heat

arc : It is what is between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The resistance causes heat.

arc blow : The deflection of an electric arc from its normal path because of magnetic forces. arc blow  is the arc going everywhere that you DON'T want it to go. It only happens in DC, happens a lot welding up into a corner, and is believed to be caused somehow by magnetism. It sometimes helps to move the work clamp to a different position on the steel.

arc Cutting : It can be done with a 6010 or 6011 rod with the machine turned up to "warp 10". (very hot) Other rods can be used but these two are the best. It is where you cut through the steel using the force of the arc. It doesn't make the prettiest cut, but will do in a pinch when you don't have a torch.

arc force : The axial force developed by a plasma.

Arc Gouging : It is where the steel or metal is cut using an arc from a carbon electrode. The electrode is solid carbon wrapped in copper for conductivity. The stinger has compressed air and when a button is pushed, it blasts air at the molten metal being cut. The machine is turned to "warp 10" which means you are using a LOT of amps (heat).

An example of this is when we went to a job where 5 stainless steel tanks about 10 stories high had almost every weld flunk an x-ray test. We gouged the weld on the outside, then re-welded them. We then gouged the welds on the inside and re-welded into our previous weld.

Thick stainless can't be torch cut, and even if it could, the heat would cause it to warp. Arc gouging keeps the heat concentrated at the cut.

arc seam weld : A seam weld made by an arc welding process. 

arc spot weld : A spot weld made by an arc welding process.

arc time :  The time during which an arc is maintained in making an arc weld. 

arc voltage : The voltage across the welding arc. 

arc welding (AW): A group of welding processes which produces coalescence of metal by heating them with an arc, with or without the application of pressure and with or without the use of filler metal.

as-welded : The condition of weld metal, welded joints, and weldments after welding but prior to any subsequent thermal, mechanical, or chemical treatments. 

autogenous weld : A fusion weld made without the addition of filler metal. 

automatic welding : Welding with equipment which performs the welding operation without adjustment of the controls by a welding operator. The equipment may of may not perform the loading and unloading of the work. 

axis of a weld : A line through the length of a weld, perpendicular to and at the geometric center of its cross section.  

b

back gouging : The removal of weld metal and base metal from the other side of a partially welded joint to assure complete penetration upon subsequent welding from that side. 

backhand welding : A welding technique in which the welding torch or gun is directed opposite to the progress of welding. Sometimes referred to as the “pull gun technique” in GMAW and FCAW. 

backing : A material (base metal, weld metal, carbon, or granular material) placed at the root of a weld joint for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal.

backing pass :  A pass made to deposit a baking weld. 

backing ring : Backing in the form of a ring, generally used in the welding of piping.

backing strip : Backing in the form of a strip. 

backing weld : Backing in the form of a weld. 

backstep sequence : A longitudinal sequence in which the weld bead increments are deposited in the direction opposite to the progress of welding the joint. See block sequence, cascade sequence, continuous sequence, joint building sequence, and longitudinal sequence. 

bare metal arc welding (BMAW) : An arc welding process which produces coalescence of metals by heating them with an electric arc between a bare or lightly coated metal electrode and the work. Neither shielding nor pressure is used and filler metal is obtained from the electrode. (This process is now obsolete in industrial applications).

base metal (material) : The metal (material) to be welded, brazed, soldered, or cut. See also substrate. 

base metal test specimen : A test specimen composed wholly of base-metal. bevel. An angular type of edge preparation.

 bevel angle : The angle formed between the prepared edge of a member and a plane perpendicular to the surface of the member. 2 of 15 blind joint. A joint, no portion of which is visible. 

block sequence : A combined longitudinal and buildup sequence for a continuous multiple pass weld in which separated lengths are completely or partially built up in cross section before intervening lengths are deposited. 

boxing : The continuation of a fillet weld around a corner of a member as an extension of the principal weld. 

burn-thru : A term erroneously used to denote excessive melt-thru or a hole. 

burn-thru weld : A term erroneously used to denote a seam weld or spot weld.

buttering : A form of surfacing in which one or more layers of weld metal are deposited on the groove face of one member (for example, a high alloy weld deposit on steel base metal which is to be welded to a dissimilar base metal). The buttering provides a suitable transition weld deposit for subsequent completion of the butt weld. 

butt joint : A joint between two members aligned approximately in the same plane.

button : That part of a weld, including all or part of the nugget, which tears out in the destructive testing of spot, seam, or projection welded specimens. 

butt weld : An erroneous term for a weld in a butt joint.