Shield Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): Electrode & Arc Fundamentals

Practice flashcards covering the fundamentals, definitions, and electrode structure of Shield Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is also known as __________ welding.

stick

SMAW is a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable __________ electrode to lay the weld.

flux-coated

In SMAW, an electric arc forms between the electrode tip and the workpiece, melting both to create a molten __________.

weld pool

In the SMAW electrode structure, the metal rod—typically steel—that melts during welding to add filler material to the joint is called the __________.

core wire

The typical thickness of the flux coating on an SMAW electrode is __________.

$$1-2\,\text{mm}$$

The __________ ratio is a key variable that distinguishes electrode types and their performance characteristics.

coating-to-core

This diagram illustrates the structure of an SMAW electrode, which consists of a central core wire surrounded by a __________.

flux coating