3.7 Electrode Angles (2024)

3.7 Electrode Angles

The American Welding Society uses two terms to describe the position of the electrode, gun or torch. These terms are used throughout this book and in industry to describe the position of the electrode in relation to the material being welded. The two terms used to describe theelectrode angle, or position, are the travel angle and the work angle.

​3.7.1 Travel Angle

Thetravel angleis the angle measured from a line perpendicular to the weld axis in the plane defined by the weld axis and the electrode axis.Figure 3-44shows a groove weld in the flat position. The weld axis and a line perpendicular to the weld axis are shown inFigure 3-44A.Figure 3-44Badds a plane and an electrode. The plane goes through the weld axis and the electrode axis.

Figure 3-44Cshows how the travel angle is measured. The travel angle is the angle between a line perpendicular to the weld axis and the electrode. The angle is measured in the plane containing the weld axis and the electrode axis. The travel angle shown is about 20°.

3.7 Electrode Angles (2)

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Defect

Figure 3-45. Travel angle in a fillet weld. The travel angle is measured from the electrode axis to a line perpendicular to the weld axis in the plane defined by the weld axis and the electrode axis. A—The weld axis and a line perpendicular to the weld axis are shown. B—The plane determined by the weld axis and the electrode axis is shown. C—The travel angle is shown.

Figure 3-45shows a fillet weld in the horizontal position. The weld axis and a line perpendicular to the weld axis are shown inFigure 3-45A.Figure 3-45Badds a plane and an electrode. The plane goes through the weld axis and the electrode axis.Figure 3-45Cshows how the travel angle is measured. The travel angle is the angle between a line perpendicular to the weld axis and the electrode. The angle is measured in the plane containing the weld axis and the electrode axis. The travel angle shown is about 20°.

When the top of the electrode leads the welding end of the electrode, and the welding arc is pointing back toward the weld bead, the travel angle is called adrag angleor adrag travel angle. This is also known asbackhand welding. If the welding end of the electrode points forward in the direction of travel, the angle is called apush angleor apush travel angle. This is also known asforehand welding.

Travel Angle of a Fillet Weld

​The electrode travel angle for a fillet weld is measured in a plane defined by the weld axis and the electrode axis. In this drawing, the electrode is at a forty-five degree angle from the base metal. The travel angle is the angle between the electrode axis and an imaginary line in the plane that is perpendicular to the weld axis. The proper travel angle for a fillet weld is typically about twenty degrees, but may range from zero to about forty degrees, depending on the application.

Travel Angle for a Groove Weld

An electrode's travel angle is measured in a plane defined by the weld axis and the electrode axis. The travel angle is the angle measured between the axis of the electrode and the axis of an imaginary line perpendicular to the weld axis. The proper travel angle for a groove weld is typically about twenty degrees, but may range from zero degrees to about forty degrees, depending on the application.

3.7 Electrode Angles (2024)

FAQs

What is the correct angle for the electrode? ›

Electrode Angles

When you start welding, angle it 10-15° toward the direction of travel until you complete the weld and terminate the arc. For butt weld (joining two pieces of metal butted together), first hold the electrode so that it is pointing into the joint of the workpiece at an angle of 90°.

What are the 2 electrode angles _______________ and ______________? ›

Answer: The two types of electrode angle are the travel angle and the work angle.

What should the work angle of the electrode be during the root pass responses? ›

What are the working angles for the root pass on the horizontal Butt joints? 5 to 10 degrees below perpendicular, 20 degree travel angle.

What is the rule of thumb for stick welding? ›

A good rule of thumb is to maintain a weld bead width approximately two and a half times the diameter of the core wire inside the stick electrode for flat and horizontal welding applications. For vertical up welding, try to create a weld bead width around two and a half to three times the size of the core wire.

What is the ideal electrode angle for welding? ›

Work angle: With wire welding, hold the gun at a 10° to 15° angle into the direction you are pushing the weld. With stick welding, maintain a 20° to 30° lead angle in the dragging direction. With a fillet (tee) weld, hold the rod or wire (regardless of weld process) at a 45° angle between the two pieces of metal.

What is the angle of a 3G electrode? ›

Use a 90-degree travel angle for a 3G weld, and a 45-degree angle for a 3F weld.

What are the two different electrode angles? ›

Electrode Angles

The work angle is the angle at which the wire is pointing at the weld joint. For lap and T-welds, the work angle is 45°, for butt welds, it is 90°. The travel angle is the angle of the wire as it travels along the weld path. For most wire welding applications, this angle is 15-30°.

What is the work angle? ›

Work angle is “the relationship between the axis of the electrode to the welders work piece”. Travel angle refers to employing either a push angle (pointing in the direction of travel) or a drag angle, when the electrode is pointed opposite of travel.

What is the two electrode method? ›

The two-electrode (or direct) method uses a regular geometry with two electrodes placed face to face (Figure 1 (a)). An alternating current is applied and the potential drop between the electrodes is measured. ...

What is the angle of electrode in second pass? ›

To weld the second pass hold the electrode at about 45° angle fusing into the vertical plate and the first bead. Make multiple pass horizontal fillets as shown in the sketch. Put the first bead in the corner with fairly high current even though there may be slight undercut, succeeding passes will burn it out.

How do you get a perfect stick weld? ›

Stick Welding - How To Create High Quality Welds
  1. Select Steel in the Normal Range. ...
  2. Choose a Joint Position and Electrode that is Conducive to the Metal. ...
  3. Follow Simple Principles for Joint Geometry and Fitup. ...
  4. Avoid Buildup and Overwelding. ...
  5. Clean the Joint Before Welding. ...
  6. Choose the Right Electrode Size.

What is the number 1 rule in welding? ›

1. Ensure the cleaning of the material and place to be welded. Before starting any welding procedure, make sure that everything is free of impurities. Contamination damages the final result.

What is the most difficult weld to make? ›

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is widely considered the most challenging welding process to learn. The sheer complexity of the technique requires more practice and focus to master than other less-technical welding methods. TIG welding also results in some of the strongest and sturdiest welds in the industry.

How many inches can you weld in a minute? ›

A typical travel speed in TIG welding is 4-6 inches per minute. With MIG welding, travel speeds are much higher; 6 inches per minute are considered slow, and 15 to 20 inches per minute are common.

What are the 2 types of correct electrode angle? ›

The two terms used to describe the electrode angle, or position, are the travel angle and the work angle. Figure 3-44. Travel angle in a groove weld. The travel angle is measured from the electrode axis to a line perpendicular to the weld axis in the plane defined by the weld axis and the electrode axis.

What should be the angle of electrode in vertical position? ›

In vertical position slope remains between 45 and 90 degrees and rotation may have any value from 0 to 180 degrees. (4) Overhead position. The plane of the workpiece is horizontal; welding is carried out from the underside, electrode pointing upward.

Why is the angle of electrode important? ›

As the angle between the electrode and the plate determines the point of impingement and direction of the arc force, it has a critical effect on the weld bead profile and depth of penetration.

What is the lead angle of the electrode? ›

As welding instructor who was trained as a welder in the Navy, I was taught and now teach that two electrode angles are required to control weld profile. One being the lead angle which is the forward or backward angle parallel to the weld axis and the other is the work angle which is perpendicular to the weld axis.

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