WELD102 – Welding Processes, Techniques,
and Safety Terminology
Active Arc Stabilizer - Enhances arc starts and provides a softer arc throughout all ranges,
with less puddle turbulence and less spatter.✅✅✅
Adaptive Hot Start - Automatically increases the output amperage at the start of a stick weld,
should the start require it. Helps eliminate sticking of the electrode at arc start.✅✅✅
Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) - A cutting process by which metals are melted by the heat
of an arc using a carbon electrode. Molten metal is forced away from the cut by a blast of
forced air.✅✅✅
Alternating Current (AC) - An electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals,
such as 60 cycles alternating current (AC), or 60 hertz.✅✅✅
Amperage (amps) - The measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point
in a conductor per second (i.e., current).✅✅✅
Arc - The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap
causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays.✅✅✅
Arc Control (Dig) - Gives a power source variable additional amperage during low voltage
(short arc length) conditions while welding. Helps avoid "sticking" stick electrodes when a
short arc length is used.✅✅✅
Arc Cutting - A group of thermal cutting processes that severs or removes metal by melting
with the heat of an arc between an electrode and the work piece.✅✅✅
,Arc Welding - A group of welding processes which produces coalescence of metals by
heating them with an arc, with or without the application of pressure and with or without the
use of filler
metal.✅✅✅
Arc-Drive - Automatically enhances Stick welding, especially on pipe, by focusing the arc
and preventing the electrode from going out.✅✅✅
Arrow Side - The side of the joint to which the arrow points✅✅✅
Auto-Crater - Allows a TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) arc to crater-out, allowing time for the
addition of filler, without the loss of shielding gas. Eliminates the need for a remote control at
arc end.✅✅✅
Automatic - The control of a process with equipment that requires little or no observation of
the welding and no manual adjustment of the equipment controls.✅✅✅
Backing Bar - A welding aid used to prevent melting through of a joint when performing a
complete-joint penetration groove weld.✅✅✅
Backing Gas - A shielding gas used on the underside of a weld bead to protect it from
atmospheric contamination✅✅✅
Backing Weld - A weld bead applied to the root of a single groove joint to assure complete
root penetration.✅✅✅
Backing - A material (base metal, weld metal, or granular material) placed at the root of a
weld joint for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal.✅✅✅
Butt Joint - A joint between two members lying in the same plane✅✅✅
Butt Weld - A weld where two pieces of metal are to be joined are in the same
plane.✅✅✅
Chain Intermittent Weld - A welding technique where the weld is created by alternatively
, welding either side of the metal joint, along the entire joint✅✅✅
Chipping - A method of removing surface defects with a chisel, so that the defects will not be
worked into the finished product.✅✅✅
Concavity - The maximum distance from the face of a concave fillet weld perpendicular to a
line joining the weld toes.✅✅✅
Constant Current (CC) Welding Machine - Welding machine with limited maximum short
circuit current. They have a negative volt-amp curve and are often referred to as
"droopers."✅✅✅
Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Potential (CP) Welding Machine - Welding machine that
maintains a relatively stable, consistent voltage regardless of the amperage output. It results
in a relatively flat volt-amp curve.✅✅✅
Constant-Speed Wire Feeder - Feeder operates from 24 or 115 VAC supplied by the welding
power source.✅✅✅
Contour - The shape of the top of a finished weld.✅✅✅
Convex Contour - A contour in which the face of the weld curves out.✅✅✅
Convexity - The maximum distance from the face of a convex fillet weld perpendicular to a
line joining the weld toes.✅✅✅
Countersink - A conical hole cut into a manufactured object, or the cutter used to cut such a
hole.✅✅✅
Current - The amount of electricity flowing past a point in a conductor every
second.✅✅✅
Destructive testing - The physical destruction of the completed weld in order to evaluate its
characteristics.✅✅✅
and Safety Terminology
Active Arc Stabilizer - Enhances arc starts and provides a softer arc throughout all ranges,
with less puddle turbulence and less spatter.✅✅✅
Adaptive Hot Start - Automatically increases the output amperage at the start of a stick weld,
should the start require it. Helps eliminate sticking of the electrode at arc start.✅✅✅
Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) - A cutting process by which metals are melted by the heat
of an arc using a carbon electrode. Molten metal is forced away from the cut by a blast of
forced air.✅✅✅
Alternating Current (AC) - An electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals,
such as 60 cycles alternating current (AC), or 60 hertz.✅✅✅
Amperage (amps) - The measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point
in a conductor per second (i.e., current).✅✅✅
Arc - The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap
causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays.✅✅✅
Arc Control (Dig) - Gives a power source variable additional amperage during low voltage
(short arc length) conditions while welding. Helps avoid "sticking" stick electrodes when a
short arc length is used.✅✅✅
Arc Cutting - A group of thermal cutting processes that severs or removes metal by melting
with the heat of an arc between an electrode and the work piece.✅✅✅
,Arc Welding - A group of welding processes which produces coalescence of metals by
heating them with an arc, with or without the application of pressure and with or without the
use of filler
metal.✅✅✅
Arc-Drive - Automatically enhances Stick welding, especially on pipe, by focusing the arc
and preventing the electrode from going out.✅✅✅
Arrow Side - The side of the joint to which the arrow points✅✅✅
Auto-Crater - Allows a TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) arc to crater-out, allowing time for the
addition of filler, without the loss of shielding gas. Eliminates the need for a remote control at
arc end.✅✅✅
Automatic - The control of a process with equipment that requires little or no observation of
the welding and no manual adjustment of the equipment controls.✅✅✅
Backing Bar - A welding aid used to prevent melting through of a joint when performing a
complete-joint penetration groove weld.✅✅✅
Backing Gas - A shielding gas used on the underside of a weld bead to protect it from
atmospheric contamination✅✅✅
Backing Weld - A weld bead applied to the root of a single groove joint to assure complete
root penetration.✅✅✅
Backing - A material (base metal, weld metal, or granular material) placed at the root of a
weld joint for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal.✅✅✅
Butt Joint - A joint between two members lying in the same plane✅✅✅
Butt Weld - A weld where two pieces of metal are to be joined are in the same
plane.✅✅✅
Chain Intermittent Weld - A welding technique where the weld is created by alternatively
, welding either side of the metal joint, along the entire joint✅✅✅
Chipping - A method of removing surface defects with a chisel, so that the defects will not be
worked into the finished product.✅✅✅
Concavity - The maximum distance from the face of a concave fillet weld perpendicular to a
line joining the weld toes.✅✅✅
Constant Current (CC) Welding Machine - Welding machine with limited maximum short
circuit current. They have a negative volt-amp curve and are often referred to as
"droopers."✅✅✅
Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Potential (CP) Welding Machine - Welding machine that
maintains a relatively stable, consistent voltage regardless of the amperage output. It results
in a relatively flat volt-amp curve.✅✅✅
Constant-Speed Wire Feeder - Feeder operates from 24 or 115 VAC supplied by the welding
power source.✅✅✅
Contour - The shape of the top of a finished weld.✅✅✅
Convex Contour - A contour in which the face of the weld curves out.✅✅✅
Convexity - The maximum distance from the face of a convex fillet weld perpendicular to a
line joining the weld toes.✅✅✅
Countersink - A conical hole cut into a manufactured object, or the cutter used to cut such a
hole.✅✅✅
Current - The amount of electricity flowing past a point in a conductor every
second.✅✅✅
Destructive testing - The physical destruction of the completed weld in order to evaluate its
characteristics.✅✅✅
