Active - Answers A substance that reacts with other elements. GMAW uses both active and inactive gas
as shielding.
American Welding Society - Answers AWS. The non-profit society that regulates the industrial standards
for welding and promotes the welding industry.
AWS specifications include classification systems for welding electrodes.
Amperage - Answers The amount of current flowing in a circuit. Amperage is determined by wire feed
speed in GMAW.
Arc - Answers The area in which electricity transfers from the electrode to the workpiece. The heat
generated by the arc melts the
base metals and filler metal during welding.
Arc Length - Answers The distance that the electricity must travel from the tip of the electrode to the
weld puddle. Longer arcs require
more voltage.
Argon - Answers An inert gas commonly used as shielding for GMAW. Argon is much heavier than air, so
it effectively shields the
weld area.
Automatic Process - Answers A type of welding process in which a computer or a robot controls both the
welding equipment and the weld
variables. In an automatic process, the welder is responsible for setting and controlling the specialized
settings for
the computer or robot.
AWS - Answers American Welding Society. The non-profit society that regulates the industrial standards
for welding and promotes
the welding industry. AWS specifications include classification systems for welding electrodes.
Axial Spray Transfer Method - Answers A type of metal transfer in which the metal at the end of the
electrode melts into small, fine droplets that transfer to
the weld puddle. Axial spray transfer creates a stable arc and little spatter.
, Carbon Dioxide - Answers An active gas commonly used as shielding for GMAW. Carbon dioxide is
inexpensive but yields a violent arc.
Circuit - Answers A controlled path for electricity. All arc welding processes require a closed electrical
circuit in which electricity can
easily flow.
Code - Answers A collection of laws or standards that outline practices for a particular application.
Welding codes ensure safe
welding practices and high-quality welded products.
Constant Current - Answers CC. A power source that uses current that varies slightly with changes in
voltage. Constant current power sources
are often used in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW).
Constant Voltage - Answers CV. A power source that maintains a constant voltage setting while
compensating for changes in amperage.
Constant voltage power sources are typically used for GMAW.
Consumable Electrode - Answers A device that conducts electricity from the contact tip to the arc and
melts into the weld as a filler metal. GMAW
uses a consumable wire electrode.
Contact Tip - Answers The device located inside the welding gun that conducts electricity to the
electrode. The contact tip is usually made
of copper.
Copper - Answers A reddish metal that is very ductile, thermally and electrically conductive, and
corrosion resistant. Copper and copper alloys are usually used to make the contact tip in a welding gun.
Corrosion Resistance - Answers A metal's ability to resist attack by other elements and chemicals.
Adding nickel to a GMAW electrode improves
corrosion resistance.
Crater - Answers An undesirable depression in the weld bead. A crater can cause cracking if it is not
properly filled.
Cylinder Pressure Gauge - Answers The device that indicates the amount of shielding gas present in the
gas cylinder. The pressure gauge detects the
level of gas pressure and displays it on a dial.