Welding procedures - Joint preparation - Butt welds

Weld joint preparation, manual metal arc welding of steel:

Fillet weld preparation:

Fillet welds usually require no special joint preparation, but the distance b
between the two components should be kept as short as possible. In the
unfavourable case, slag can run via the gap to the weld pool and thus lead
to weld defects.
Stick electrode handling and weld layout:
The stick electrode is tilted to approx. 10° in the direction of welding. The
best results are achieved by positioning the stick electrode perpendicular
to the workpiece.

The magnetic arc blow may require the angle to be changed.

When the stick electrode is being moved quickly with minimal oscillation,
we refer to stringer beads.

When the stick electrode is moved in an oscillating action,

we refer to weave weld beads.

The following recommended working methods are intended as a first

point of reference. This is valid for stick electrodes.
Fillet welds in vertical up position (PF):
Butt welds in welding upward position (PF):
Magnetic Arc blow:

Like every electrical conductor, the arc is also surrounded by a magnetic

field. If the magnetic field is prevented from expanding evenly, the arc is
deflected: this is the so-called (magnetic) arc blow effect.

Frequent reasons for arc blow are:

 Welding at the edge of the workpiece

 Welding next to large workpiece masses
 Welding close to a work-clamp connection
1.Welding at the edge of the workpiece

2. Welding next to large workpiece masses

 3. Welding close to the work-clamp connection

Figure 1,2,3: Causes of arc blow

The following measures for preventing magnetic arc blow:

 Keep arc length short

 Change the angle of the stick electrode
 Attach an earth clamp on both sides or shift the earth clamp
 Make numerous tack welds
 Select the correct welding sequence
 If possible, use AC rather than DC current
Efficiency of stick electrodes:

The efficiency can be increased over 100% by adding more iron powder
into the coating.

Example 1: Efficiency 105% & Ø 4 mm - 450 mm

Weight of the core rod about 40 g coating without iron powder

Weight of weld metal equals the weight of the molten core rod.

Example 2 : Efficiency 160% & Ø 4 mm - 450 mm

Weight of the core rod about 40 g coating contains iron powder

(approx. 25 g).
Weight of weld metal is about 60% greater than the weight of the
deposited core rod (core rod + iron powder).

Source: IWE.