Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Flashcards
7 cards from real AWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) flashcards as text
What type of current is required for an E6010 electrode to operate correctly?
Answer: DCEP (DC electrode positive) only
E6010 electrodes require DCEP (DC electrode positive, also called reverse polarity) to maintain a stable arc and achieve proper penetration.
A welder is experiencing excessive spatter while using E7018 electrodes. Which adjustment would most likely resolve this issue?
Answer: Decrease amperage slightly
Excessive spatter with E7018 is often caused by amperage that is too high; decreasing amperage slightly typically reduces spatter to acceptable levels.
What is 'porosity' in a weld, and what is its most common cause in SMAW?
Answer: Gas pockets trapped in the solidified weld metal; often caused by contamination or moisture
Porosity consists of gas pockets (voids) trapped in the solidified weld metal, most commonly caused by contamination, moisture on the electrode or base metal, or too-long arc length.
According to AWS standards, what does the 'E' in an electrode classification such as E7018 stand for?
Answer: Electric arc welding electrode
The 'E' in AWS electrode classifications stands for 'Electric arc welding electrode,' distinguishing it from other welding rods.
When should preheat be applied to base metal before SMAW?
Answer: When welding high-carbon or alloy steels to reduce the risk of hydrogen cracking
Preheat slows the cooling rate, allowing hydrogen to escape and reducing the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking, particularly in high-carbon and alloy steels.
What is the correct action if an E7018 electrode has been left out of the oven for more than 4 hours?
Answer: Recondition them by re-baking at the manufacturer's recommended temperature and time
Low-hydrogen electrodes exposed to atmosphere beyond the allowable time limit can be reconditioned (re-baked) per AWS D1.1 and manufacturer guidelines to restore their low-hydrogen properties.
What is 'stringer bead' technique in SMAW, and when is it preferred?
Answer: A narrow bead deposited with little or no side-to-side motion; preferred when low heat input is required
A stringer bead uses little or no lateral movement, resulting in lower heat input, which is preferred for materials sensitive to heat distortion or when welding thin sections.