Joint Design and Welding Terms Review

Groove Weld

A weld made in the groove between the two members to be joined

Fillet Welds

A weld of approximately triangular cross sections that joins two surfaces at approximately right angles. They may be used for Lap, T, or Corner welds.

Weld Reinforcement

Amount of weld metal in excess of that required to fill the joint

Electrode

Component of the welding circuits that conducts electrical current to the weld area.

Weld Crater

Depression at the termination of the weld bead.

Weld Leg

Distance from the joint root to the toe of a fillet weld.

Theoretical Weld Throat

Distance from the joint root, perpendicular to the hypotenuse of the largest right-angle triangle that can be inscribed within the cross sections of a fillet weld.

Weld Face

Exposed surface of the weld, bounded by the weld toes on the side. The face can either be Concave-Sunken or Convex- Rounded.

Root Pass

Initial weld pass that provides complete penetration through the thickness of the joint member.

Weld Toe

Junction of the base metal and the weld face.

Fusion Welding

Melting of metal and filler metal. Fusion welding is the most common method of joining metal.

Filler Metal

Metal deposited in the welded, brazed or soldered joint during the welding process.

Base Metal

Metal or alloy that is to be welded.

Effective Weld Throat

Minimum distance, minus convexity, between the weld face and the weld root.

Weld Joint

Physical configuration at the juncture of the members to be welded.

Root Reinforcement

Reinforcement of the side opposite the one on which welding took place.

Face Reinforcement

Reinforcement on the same side as the welding.

Weld Pass

Single progression of welding along a weld joint.

Weld Root

The area where filler metal intersects the base metal and extends the farthest into the weld joint.

Depth of fusion

The distance that fusion extends into the base metal from the surface.

Joint Penetration

The distance the weld metal extends from the face into the joint.

Joint Root

The portion of a weld joint where joint members are the closest to each other.

Ripple

The shape of the deposited bead caused by the movement of the welding heat source.

Actual Weld Throat

The shortest distance from the face of a fillet weld to the weld root after welding.

Root Bead

Weld bead that extends into or includes part of or all of the joint root.

Nugget

Weld metal that joins the members in spot, seam and projection welds.

Flat Weld

Weld position used because they can be done quickly and easily.

Stud Welds

Weld produced by joining a metal stud or similar part to another member.

Weld Bead

Weld that results from a weld pass.

Vertical, Horizontal, and Overhead Welds

Welds affected by gravity. Gravity promotes undercutting, overlap (cold lap), incomplete penetration, and Excessive reinforcement.

Plug and Slot Welds

Welds made by joining two overlapping members by welding through circular holes or slots.