Professional Documents
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Advandtages of SMAW
• Low cost equipment.
• Can weld many different metals including the most commonly used
metals and alloys.
• Not suitable for metal sheets under 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) thickness.
• Not all of the electrode can be used, the remaining stub in the
electrode handle must be discarded wasting one to two inches of
electrode.
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WELDING CURRENT
• The arc is formed between the end of the electrode and the work.
• The arc melts the electrode coating, electrode metal, and the base
metal.
Travel
Too low speed Too high
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MMA welding parameters
Type of current:
voltage drop in welding cables is lower with AC
inductive looses can appear with AC if cables are coiled
cheaper power source for AC
no problems with arc blow with AC
DC provides a more stable and easy to strike arc,
especially with low current, better positional weld, thin
sheet applications
welding with a short arc length (low arc voltage) is
easier with DC, better mechanical properties
DC provides a smoother metal transfer, less spatter
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MMA welding parameters
Welding current
– approx. 35 A/mm of diameter
– governed by thickness, type of joint and welding
position
Welding
Too low current Too high
70
60
Voltage
50
Amperage 7
MMA electrode holder
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MMA welding typical defects
Most welding defects in MMA are caused by a lack of welder
skill (not an easily controlled process), the incorrect settings
of the equipment, or the incorrect use, and treatment of
electrodes
Typical Welding Defects:
•Slag inclusions
•Arc strikes
•Porosity
•Undercut
•Shape defects (overlap, excessive root penetration, etc.)
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Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMA)
Advantages:
• Field or shop use
• Range of consumables
• All positions
• Portable
• Simple equipment
Disadvantages:
• High welder skill required
• High levels of fume
• Hydrogen control (flux)
• Stop/start problems
• Comparatively uneconomic when compared with some
other processes i.e MAG, SAW and FCAW
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