TEXAS WELDING TECHNOLOGY
CERTIFICATION EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), what is the primary
function of the electrode flux coating?
A. Increase welding speed only
B. Conduct electricity without melting
C. Produce shielding gases and slag to protect the molten weld pool
D. Reduce the melting temperature of the base metal
Answer: C. Produce shielding gases and slag to protect the molten
weld pool
Rationale: The flux coating decomposes during welding to create
shielding gases that prevent atmospheric contamination while forming
slag that protects the cooling weld. Flux also stabilizes the arc and may
introduce alloying elements, making it one of the most critical
components of SMAW electrodes.
2. Which electrode classification indicates a low-hydrogen electrode
suitable for high-strength structural welding?
A. E6010
B. E6011
C. E7018
D. E7024
1
,Answer: C. E7018
Rationale: E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode designed to minimize
hydrogen-induced cracking. It produces high-quality welds with
excellent mechanical properties and is commonly required in structural
steel fabrication and pressure vessel construction.
3. A welder observes undercut along the weld toe. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Low amperage
B. Slow travel speed
C. Excessive amperage or excessive travel speed
D. Improper electrode storage
Answer: C. Excessive amperage or excessive travel speed
Rationale: Undercut occurs when excessive heat or improper travel
melts the base metal without allowing sufficient filler deposition. This
groove weakens the joint by creating a stress concentration.
4. In Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), what shielding gas provides
the greatest penetration when welding carbon steel?
A. 100% Argon
B. 100% Carbon Dioxide
C. Helium only
D. Nitrogen
Answer: B. 100% Carbon Dioxide
Rationale: Carbon dioxide produces a hotter arc with deeper
penetration compared to argon-rich mixtures. Although it creates more
spatter, it is economical and widely used for structural steel
applications.
2
, 5. What does the "70" designation in an E7018 electrode indicate?
A. Electrode diameter
B. Recommended amperage
C. Minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi
D. Welding position
Answer: C. Minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi
Rationale: The first two digits in AWS electrode classification identify
the minimum tensile strength of deposited weld metal in thousands of
pounds per square inch.
6. Which welding discontinuity is most likely caused by moisture-
contaminated electrodes?
A. Lack of fusion
B. Porosity and hydrogen cracking
C. Overlap
D. Undercut
Answer: B. Porosity and hydrogen cracking
Rationale: Moisture introduces hydrogen into the weld pool, increasing
the likelihood of porosity and delayed hydrogen-induced cracking,
particularly in high-strength steels.
7. What polarity is commonly used with an E6010 electrode?
A. AC only
B. DCEN only
C. DCEP only
D. Either AC or DCEN
3
, Answer: C. DCEP only
Rationale: E6010 electrodes are designed specifically for direct current
electrode positive (reverse polarity), providing deep penetration and a
forceful arc.
8. Which weld joint joins two pieces in the same plane?
A. Corner joint
B. Butt joint
C. Tee joint
D. Edge joint
Answer: B. Butt joint
Rationale: A butt joint aligns two members in the same plane with edges
touching, making it one of the most common joints in pipe and plate
welding.
9. What is the primary purpose of preheating thick carbon steel
before welding?
A. Increase welding speed
B. Prevent excessive spatter
C. Reduce thermal stresses and hydrogen cracking
D. Improve weld appearance only
Answer: C. Reduce thermal stresses and hydrogen cracking
Rationale: Preheating slows the cooling rate, allowing hydrogen to
escape and reducing residual stresses that could otherwise lead to
cracking.
4
CERTIFICATION EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), what is the primary
function of the electrode flux coating?
A. Increase welding speed only
B. Conduct electricity without melting
C. Produce shielding gases and slag to protect the molten weld pool
D. Reduce the melting temperature of the base metal
Answer: C. Produce shielding gases and slag to protect the molten
weld pool
Rationale: The flux coating decomposes during welding to create
shielding gases that prevent atmospheric contamination while forming
slag that protects the cooling weld. Flux also stabilizes the arc and may
introduce alloying elements, making it one of the most critical
components of SMAW electrodes.
2. Which electrode classification indicates a low-hydrogen electrode
suitable for high-strength structural welding?
A. E6010
B. E6011
C. E7018
D. E7024
1
,Answer: C. E7018
Rationale: E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode designed to minimize
hydrogen-induced cracking. It produces high-quality welds with
excellent mechanical properties and is commonly required in structural
steel fabrication and pressure vessel construction.
3. A welder observes undercut along the weld toe. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Low amperage
B. Slow travel speed
C. Excessive amperage or excessive travel speed
D. Improper electrode storage
Answer: C. Excessive amperage or excessive travel speed
Rationale: Undercut occurs when excessive heat or improper travel
melts the base metal without allowing sufficient filler deposition. This
groove weakens the joint by creating a stress concentration.
4. In Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), what shielding gas provides
the greatest penetration when welding carbon steel?
A. 100% Argon
B. 100% Carbon Dioxide
C. Helium only
D. Nitrogen
Answer: B. 100% Carbon Dioxide
Rationale: Carbon dioxide produces a hotter arc with deeper
penetration compared to argon-rich mixtures. Although it creates more
spatter, it is economical and widely used for structural steel
applications.
2
, 5. What does the "70" designation in an E7018 electrode indicate?
A. Electrode diameter
B. Recommended amperage
C. Minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi
D. Welding position
Answer: C. Minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi
Rationale: The first two digits in AWS electrode classification identify
the minimum tensile strength of deposited weld metal in thousands of
pounds per square inch.
6. Which welding discontinuity is most likely caused by moisture-
contaminated electrodes?
A. Lack of fusion
B. Porosity and hydrogen cracking
C. Overlap
D. Undercut
Answer: B. Porosity and hydrogen cracking
Rationale: Moisture introduces hydrogen into the weld pool, increasing
the likelihood of porosity and delayed hydrogen-induced cracking,
particularly in high-strength steels.
7. What polarity is commonly used with an E6010 electrode?
A. AC only
B. DCEN only
C. DCEP only
D. Either AC or DCEN
3
, Answer: C. DCEP only
Rationale: E6010 electrodes are designed specifically for direct current
electrode positive (reverse polarity), providing deep penetration and a
forceful arc.
8. Which weld joint joins two pieces in the same plane?
A. Corner joint
B. Butt joint
C. Tee joint
D. Edge joint
Answer: B. Butt joint
Rationale: A butt joint aligns two members in the same plane with edges
touching, making it one of the most common joints in pipe and plate
welding.
9. What is the primary purpose of preheating thick carbon steel
before welding?
A. Increase welding speed
B. Prevent excessive spatter
C. Reduce thermal stresses and hydrogen cracking
D. Improve weld appearance only
Answer: C. Reduce thermal stresses and hydrogen cracking
Rationale: Preheating slows the cooling rate, allowing hydrogen to
escape and reducing residual stresses that could otherwise lead to
cracking.
4
