Welding Processes and Equipment Flashcards

What does the term 'duty cycle' mean when applied to a welding power source?

Answer: The percentage of a 10-minute period the machine can weld at a rated output

Duty cycle is the percentage of a 10-minute period that a machine can operate at its rated amperage without overheating.

Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and a separate filler rod?

Answer: GTAW

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with a separate filler metal added manually.

In Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), what is the purpose of the granular flux?

Answer: It shields the arc and weld pool from atmospheric contamination

In SAW, the granular flux covers the arc and molten weld pool, shielding it from atmospheric gases and stabilizing the arc.

What type of current is most commonly used for GTAW when welding aluminum?

Answer: AC (Alternating Current)

AC current is used for GTAW on aluminum because the electrode-positive half-cycle provides oxide cleaning action on the aluminum surface.

Which component in a GMAW setup controls the rate at which wire is fed to the welding gun?

Answer: The wire feed unit (wire feeder)

The wire feed unit drives the electrode wire from the spool to the welding gun at a speed set by the operator.

What is plasma arc cutting (PAC) most similar to in terms of operating principle?

Answer: GTAW with high amperage

Plasma arc cutting uses a constricted arc similar to GTAW but with a high-velocity plasma jet to cut through metal.

In FCAW, what distinguishes a self-shielded wire from a gas-shielded wire?

Answer: Self-shielded wire generates its own shielding from core compounds; gas-shielded requires external gas

Self-shielded FCAW electrodes contain flux compounds in the core that produce shielding gas and slag, eliminating the need for external shielding gas.