02/08/2021 Types of Welds & Joints - Weld Guru

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Weld Types & Joints

Last Updated: July 22, 2021
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Any discussion on weld types starts with the idea that it is important to
distinguish between the joint and the weld.

Each must be described to completely describe the weld joint.

There are many different types of welds, which are best described by their shape when
shown in cross section.

The most popular weld is the fillet weld, named after its cross-sectional shape.

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Other types of welds include flange welds, plug welds, slot welds, seam welds,
surfacing welds, and backing welds.

Joints are combined with welds to make weld joints.

If you are new to MIG welding and would like simple training so you can learn
quickly, without the headaches, then download my FREE beginner’s guide to MIG
welding.

Types Of Joints
There are 5 main joints used in welding. These are:

Butt joint
Corner joint
Edge joint
Lap joint
Tee joint

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Illustrations of Various Types of Weld Joints

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Types Of Welds

Fillet Welds

A fillet weld joins two surfaces at an approximate right angle to each other. There are
several types of fillet weld:

Full fillet weld – is a weld where the size of the weld is the same as the
thickness of the thinner object joined together.
Staggered intermittent fillet weld – refers to two lines of intermittent welding
on a joint. An example is a tee joint (see below) where the fillet increments that
are in one line are staggered in comparison to the other line.
Chain Intermittent fillet weld – refers to two lines of intermittent fillet welds in a
lap joint or T where the welds in one line are approximately opposite those in the
other line.

Other terms associated with fillet welds include:

Boxing: which refers to the continuation of a fillet weld around a corner of a

member. It is an extension of the principal weld.
Convexity: Refers to the maximum perpendicular distance from the face of a
convex fillet weld to a line joining the toes.

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Illustrations Depicting Types of Fillet Welds

Groove Welds

The second most popular type of weld is the groove weld. There are seven basic types
of groove welds, which are shown in figure 6-25.

The groove weld refers to beads that are deposited in a groove between two members
to be joined.

Illustrations of Basic Groove Welds

More examples are shown in figure 6-26 above.

The type of weld used will determine the manner in which the seam, joint, or surface is
prepared.

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See figure 6-27 for the standard types of groove welds.

Illustrations of Types of Groove Welds

Surfacing Weld

These are welds composed of one or more strings or weave beads deposited on an
unbroken surface to obtain desired properties or dimensions.

This type of weld is used to build up surfaces or replace metal on worn surfaces. It is
also used with square butt joints.

See figure 6-28 below for examples.

Plug Weld

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Plug welds are circular welds made through one member of a lap or tee joint joining
that member to the other.

The weld may or may not be made through a hole in the first member; if a hole is used,
the walls may or may not be parallel and the hole may be partially or completely filled
with weld metal.

Such welds are often used in place of rivets.

NOTE: A fillet welded hole or a spot weld does not conform to this definition.

See figure 6-28 below for examples.

If you are new to MIG welding and would like simple training so you can learn
quickly, without the headaches, then download my FREE beginner’s guide to MIG
welding.

Slot Weld

This is a weld made in an elongated hole in one member of a lap or tee joint joining
that member to the surface of the other member that is exposed through the hole.

This hole may be open at one end and may be partially or completely filled with weld
metal.

NOTE: A fillet welded slot does not conform to this definition.

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Illustrations of Surfacing, Plug and Slot Welds

Flash Weld

Flash welding is referred to as a resistance welding process where fusion is produced

over the entire abutting surface.

Heat is created by the resistance to the current flow between two surfaces and by the
application of pressure after heating is mostly complete.

Flashing is accompanied by the expulsion of metal from the joint.

See Figure 6-29 below for an example of a flash weld.

Read more: Flash and Flange Weld Symbols

Seam Weld

A weld made by arc seam or resistance seam welding where the welding process is
not specified.

This term infers resistance seam welding.

Refer to figure 6-29 below for an example of a seam weld.

Spot Weld
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A spot weld is a weld made by arc spot or resistance spot welding where the welding
process is not specified.

This term infers a resistance spot weld.

Read more: Spot Seam and Arc Weld Symbols

Upset Weld

An upset weld is a resistance welding process where fusion occurs progressively along
a joint of over the entire abutting surface.

The application of pressure before heating is required and occurs during the heating
period.

Heat comes from the resistance to the flow of electric current in the area of contact
between the surfaces.

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Illustrations of Flash, Seam, Spot and Upset Welds

Welding Positions

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Welding is often done on structures in the position in which they are found.

Techniques have been developed to allow welding in any position.

Some welding processes have all-position capabilities, while others may be used in
only one or two positions.

All welding can be classified according to the position of the workpiece or the position
of the welded joint on the plates or sections being welded.

There are four basic welding positions, which are illustrated in figures 6-30 and 6-31.

Illustrations of Groove Welding Positions

Fillet, Groove, and Surface welds may be made in all of the positions shown in figure 6-31
above

Read more about the different welding positions.

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If you are new to MIG welding and would like simple training so you can learn
quickly, without the headaches, then download my FREE beginner’s guide to MIG
welding.

About Jeff Grill

Jeff Grill hails from Long Island, a 118 mile stretch of land that
starts just off the coast of Manhattan and stretches deep into the
Atlantic ocean. He has always been interested in welding from an early age and has
the cuts and bruises to prove it as he set out to work with a variety of metals.

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