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Base Metal Preparation Flashcards

7 cards from real Certified Welder practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Base Metal Preparation flashcards as text

  1. When fit-up of a butt joint shows high-low (mismatch) exceeding code allowance, the welder should:

    Answer: Taper the thicker member to match or reject and re-fit the joint

    Code-exceeding hi-lo mismatch creates stress concentrations; the proper fix is mechanically tapering the thicker member at a minimum 1:2.5 slope or re-fitting the joint.

  2. What is the purpose of tack welds placed during joint fit-up?

    Answer: To maintain alignment and root opening during welding

    Tack welds hold the joint in proper alignment and maintain the specified root opening so it does not change as heat is applied during welding.

  3. Which base metal condition is acceptable for production welding without additional preparation?

    Answer: Clean, dry, degreased surface

    A clean, dry, and degreased surface free of contaminants meets weld preparation requirements and does not require further treatment before welding.

  4. When cutting weld coupons from plate for a welder qualification test, the cut edge used as the weld joint face must be:

    Answer: Machined or ground smooth and square to drawing tolerances

    Qualification test coupons require smooth, square joint faces machined or ground to specified tolerances to ensure consistent, repeatable weld conditions.

  5. A painted structural steel member must be welded. The correct preparation within 2 inches of the weld zone is to:

    Answer: Remove the paint by grinding, blasting, or burning

    Paint within the weld zone must be removed because it produces toxic fumes, porosity, and can cause incomplete fusion during welding.

  6. For FCAW on carbon steel with a 60° included angle single-V groove, the land (root face) dimension is typically:

    Answer: 1/16 to 1/8 in

    A land of 1/16 to 1/8 inch provides enough material to prevent burn-through while still allowing full root fusion with FCAW.

  7. Weld distortion from improper joint fit-up is best minimized by:

    Answer: Using strongbacks, clamps, and balanced welding sequences

    Mechanical restraint with strongbacks and clamps combined with a balanced welding sequence controls shrinkage forces and minimizes angular and linear distortion.