SMAW AND TIG

SMAW & TIG Welding
SMAW & TIG Welding

Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), ,
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also known as , also known as
manual metal arc (MMA) welding
manual metal arc (MMA) welding or informally as or informally as stick stick
welding
welding, is a manual , is a manual arc welding arc welding process that uses a process that uses a
consumable
consumable electrode electrode coated in coated in flux flux to lay the weld. to lay the weld.
An
An electric current electric current, in the form of either , in the form of either alternating current alternating current or or
direct current
direct current from a from a welding power supply welding power supply, is used to form an , is used to form an
electric arc
electric arc between the electrode and the between the electrode and the metals metals to be joined. to be joined.
As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode
As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode
disintegrates, giving off vapors that serve as a
disintegrates, giving off vapors that serve as a shielding gas shielding gas
and providing a layer of slag, both of which protect the weld
and providing a layer of slag, both of which protect the weld
area from atmospheric contamination
area from atmospheric contamination

Because of the versatility of the process and the
Because of the versatility of the process and the
simplicity of its equipment and operation, shielded
simplicity of its equipment and operation, shielded
metal arc welding is one of the world's most popular
metal arc welding is one of the world's most popular
welding processes.
welding processes.
It dominates other welding processes in the It dominates other welding processes in the
maintenance and repair industry, and though
maintenance and repair industry, and though
flux-cored arc welding
flux-cored arc welding is growing in popularity, is growing in popularity,
SMAW continues to be used extensively in the
SMAW continues to be used extensively in the
construction of steel structures and in industrial
construction of steel structures and in industrial
fabrication.
fabrication.
The process is used primarily to weld The process is used primarily to weld iron iron and and steels steels
(including
(including stainless steel stainless steel) but ) but aluminum aluminum, , nickel nickel and and
copper
copper alloys alloys can also be welded with this method can also be welded with this method

To strike the
To strike the electric arc electric arc, the electrode is brought into , the electrode is brought into
contact with the workpiece in a short sweeping
contact with the workpiece in a short sweeping
motion and then pulled away slightly.
motion and then pulled away slightly.
This initiates the arc and thus the melting of the This initiates the arc and thus the melting of the
workpiece and the consumable electrode, and causes
workpiece and the consumable electrode, and causes
droplets of the electrode to be passed from the
droplets of the electrode to be passed from the
electrode to the other .
electrode to the other .
As the electrode melts, the flux covering
As the electrode melts, the flux covering
disintegrates, giving off vapors that protect the weld
disintegrates, giving off vapors that protect the weld
area from
area from oxygen oxygen and other and other atmospheric atmospheric gases. gases.

To strike the
To strike the electric arc electric arc, the electrode is brought into contact , the electrode is brought into contact
with the workpiece in a short sweeping motion and then pulled
with the workpiece in a short sweeping motion and then pulled
away slightly.
away slightly.
This initiates the arc and thus the melting of the workpiece This initiates the arc and thus the melting of the workpiece
and the consumable electrode, and causes droplets of the
and the consumable electrode, and causes droplets of the
electrode to be passed from the electrode to the weld.
electrode to be passed from the electrode to the weld.
The heat produced by the arc melts the base metal, the The heat produced by the arc melts the base metal, the
electrode core rod, and the coating.
electrode core rod, and the coating.
As the molten metal droplets are transferred across the arc and
As the molten metal droplets are transferred across the arc and
into the molten weld puddle, they are shielded from the
into the molten weld puddle, they are shielded from the
atmosphere by the gases produced from the decomposition of
atmosphere by the gases produced from the decomposition of
the flux coating. The molten slag floats to the top of the weld
the flux coating. The molten slag floats to the top of the weld
puddle where it protects the weld metal from the atmosphere
puddle where it protects the weld metal from the atmosphere
during solidification
during solidification