PUDDLE THEORY Lesson (5)(18)

Performance Objectives: All students will be asked to:

A. Identify functions of the SMAW electrode

B. Identify characteristics of arc force

C. Identify functions of the SMAW electrode flux coating

D. Identify two critical skills necessary to make consistent beads

A. Functions of the SMAW electrode:

1. Carries welding current to or from the arc

2. Strikes an arc and then maintains a 1/16” to 1/8” inch arc gap

3. Melts and adds filler metal to the puddle

B. Characteristics of arc force:

1. Arc force is the result of current and molten metal crossing the arc gap

2. Comes straight off the end of the electrode; similar to pressurized water leaving a
hose

3. Can be directed and used to hold molten steel and slag up or back against the force
of gravity

4. Causes a cutting action into the base metal at the leading edge of the arc

C. Functions of the SMAW electrode flux coating:

1. Controls the burn-off rate of the electrode

2. Adds alloying elements to the puddle

3. May add iron powder for high deposition (fast fill)

4. Makes a shielding gas that protects the puddle from oxygen and nitrogen in the air

5. Scavenges impurities from the puddle

6. Produces a protective slag which controls the cooling rate of the bead

7. Protects the hot bead from the oxygen and nitrogen in the air as the bead -cools

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D. 2 critical skills necessary to make consistent beads

1. Ability to distinguish molten slag from molten steel

2. Ability to identify and keep track of the 2 outer most edges

of the puddle of molten steel; these 2 points form your toe lines; once the slag is
chipped away the toe lines formed by these 2 points is what is left behind

Reference:

Refer to: Hobart Training Workbook, Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Basic, Page 5 and New Lessons in Arc Welding, 4th Edition, Pages
1-7 and 1-8

Preview class:

Include why this information is valuable to the student Address the information in the
student handout

In addition, explain the following:

How and why the cut action takes place at the front of the puddle
(Performance Objectives A. and B.)

How and why the fill action takes place at the rear of the puddle
(Performance Objectives A. and B.)

How and why push and drag angle changes effect cutting and filling actions, bead width,
and penetration (Performance Objectives A. and B.)

How the arc and arc force spread as they leave the end of the electrode tip
(Performance Objective B.)

How and why this spreading effects heat input, penetration, arc force strength, slag
control, etc. (Performance Objective B.)

Summarize:

Answers to quiz: 1. d
2. e
3. e
4. c
5. d