Certified Welder Study Guide 2026

SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding, which is widely known as 'stick welding.' This process uses a consumable electrode coated in flux, which creates a shielding gas and slag to protect the weld puddle. It is a versatile and common welding method, especially for outdoor and field applications due to its portability and effectiveness in various conditions.

Excessive interpass temperature keeps the weld region at elevated temperatures too long, promoting grain growth and over-tempering that reduces yield strength and toughness.

Balanced welding alternates passes symmetrically on both sides of the joint so that shrinkage forces cancel each other out, minimizing angular and longitudinal distortion.

The correct procedure for preparing aluminum is to first clean off oils and hydrocarbons with a solvent, and then mechanically remove the tough outer layer of aluminum oxide. A dedicated stainless steel brush should be used after degreasing to avoid embedding contaminants into the soft aluminum surface. Using a carbon steel brush or a contaminated grinding disc would introduce ferrous particles, leading to contamination and weld defects.

In the AWS A5.1 standard for carbon steel electrodes, the third digit indicates the welding position. A '1' signifies the electrode is suitable for all positions (Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead). The '70' indicates 70,000 psi tensile strength, and the '8' indicates the coating type (low-hydrogen, iron powder) and current.

Hydrogen-induced cracking is delayed because it requires time for diffusible hydrogen to migrate to stress concentration areas; cracking may not appear until hours or days after welding.