WELDING

VOLTAGE (ARC
VOLTAGE
Prepared by: Ian Jay M. Grino
• The voltage and arc length are closely related. The
shorter the arc, the lower the arc voltage and the lower
the temperature produced, an as the arc lengthens, the
resistance increases, thus causing a rise in the arc voltage
and temperature.
• These arc stabilizers form conductive ions that make the
arc more stable and reduce the arc resistance. This makes
it easier to hold an arc. By lowering the resistance, the
arc stabilizers also lower the arc temperature. Other
chemicals within the gaseous cloud (shield gas) around
the arc may raise or lower the resistance.
• Travel Speed - Effects of arc travel speed are similar to
that of welding voltage – penetration is a maximum at a
certain value and decreases as the arc travel speed is
varied. Figure 7-9 shows that at 12 inches per minute
(30.5 cm/min)travel speed, penetration is at a maximum.
• .
• Secondary variables are either supportive measurements
related to the primary objective or measurements of
effects related to the secondary objectives.
• The electrode extension, or 'wire stickout' as it is
sometimes called, is the length of unmelted wire that
extends beyond the end of the contact tip or jaw. The
electrode extension is an important variable as it controls
the degree of resistance heating of the electrode wire
before it melts in the weld pool.
ELECTRODE ANGLE - The electrode angles are called
the travel and work angles.
There two terms used to describe the electrode angle, or
position, are the travel angle and the work angle.
The position of the welding electrode with
respect to the weld joint affects the shape of the weld bead
and the amount of penetration.
The travel angle of the electrode is the angle between the
joint and electrode in the longitudinal plane.
The angle push exists when the electrode points in the
direction of travel (forehand
welding) and a drag angle exists when the electrode points
in the direction opposite to
travel (backhand welding). The work angle is the angle
between the electrode and the
plane perpendicular to the direction of travel.