Vocabulary Term

Definition

American Welding Society

AWS. A professional organization that supports the welding industry and

promotes welding and related processes.

arc blow

A condition resulting from the interaction of an electric current and the magnetic
field the current induces. Arc blow can cause excessive spatter, incomplete
fusion, and porosity.

AWS

American Welding Society. A professional organization that supports the

welding industry and promotes welding and related processes.

centerline crack

A gap or break in the surface of a weld parallel to the weld axis that may be
along the centerline of the weld or near the weld toes. A centerline crack is also
called a longitudinal crack.

concave

Curving inward like the inside of a bowl.

consumable

An electrode that conducts electricity to the arc but also melts into the weld as a
filler metal.

convex

Curving outward like the exterior of a circle or sphere.

crack

A discontinuity characterized by a break or gap in the surface of a weld. Cracks

can be classified as longitudinal, transverse, crater, and heat affected zone.

crater crack

A gap or break in the surface of a weld that occurs at the crater of a weld
because welding was improperly terminated. Crater cracks are also called star
cracks.

defect

An irregularity in the specified and expected composition of a weld that exceeds

the part design's tolerances. A defect is a rejectable discontinuity.

discontinuity

An irregularity in the specified and expected composition of a weld. A

discontinuity is not always a defect.

distortion

A disfigurement that signals that a weld joint was not prepared properly.

excess concavity

The distance from the weld face perpendicular to a line joining the weld toes that
arcs in and toward the weld joint.

excess convexity

The distance from the weld face perpendicular to a line joining the weld toes that
arcs out and away from the weld joint. Excess convexity has a greater potential
for weld failure, causing longitudinal cracking and crater cracking.

excess penetration

A discontinuity characterized by an excess of weld metal on the back side of the

joint. Excessive heat, slow movement, and poor joint alignment can cause
excessive penetration.

excessive reinforcement

The use of more weld metal than is required to fill a groove weld joint.
Excessive reinforcement creates high concentrations of stress at the weld toes.

fillet gage

A device that determines whether or not a fillet weld is within specified

tolerances. A fillet gage is a specific kind of weld gage.

Vocabulary Term

Definition

fillet weld

A type of weld that is triangular in shape and joins two surfaces at right angles to
each other in a lap joint, T-joint, or corner joint. Fillet welds are the most
common types of welds.

heat affected zone crack

A cold gap or break in the surface of a weld that forms in the heat-affected zone
of a base metal. Heat affected zone cracks are also called underbead cracks.

hold point

A predetermined stopping point in the fabrication process at which the weld

must be inspected. Hold points are used between passes of multi-layer welds to
assure a weld is properly cleaned between passes.

incomplete fusion

The lack of complete integration between the weld metal and adjoining weld
beads. Incomplete fusion is caused by faulty operator technique, improper
preparation of the base metal, insufficient welding heat, lack of access to the
adjoining beads, and improper joint design.

incomplete penetration

A discontinuity characterized by an unpenetrated and unfused area in a joint that

occurs when weld metal does not extend through the thickness of the joint.
Incomplete penetration can result from insufficient welding heat, improper joint
design, and improper lateral control of the welding arc.

internal stress

A force from within the material of an object that attempts to deform that object.
In a weldment, internal stress is caused by thermal expansion and contraction as
the weld metal cools and solidifies.

interpass temperature

A specific temperature range of the base material. The interpass temperature

should not fall below the preheat temperature.

longitudinal crack

A gap or break in the surface of a weld parallel to the weld axis that may be
along the centerline of the weld or near the weld toes. A longitudinal crack is
also called a centerline crack.

melt-through

The visible reinforcement of a weld root that happens when a joint is welded
from only one side.

non-destructive examination

The evaluation of a weld, or material to be welded, that does not affect the
servicability of the weld or material. Non-destructive examination costs less
because the part is not destroyed.

overlap

The protrusion of unfused weld metal beyond the weld toe or weld root. Overlap
is almost always unacceptable in a welded part.

part drawing

A document that includes the specifications for a part's production.

porosity

A discontinuity characterized by the appearance of tiny voids or bubbles on a

weld bead, resulting from trapped gases in a material. Excessive porosity can
weaken a weld.

preheat temperature

A specific temperature to which the base material is heated prior to welding.

root opening

The point at which fusion should occur between the weld metal and adjoining
weld beads. The root opening provides access to the root of a weld.

Vocabulary Term

Definition

root pass

The first layer of a multi-layer weld. The root pass is the most critical layer of a
weld because it is susceptible to slag inclusion and cracking.

slag inclusion

A discontinuity resulting from the mutual dissolution of flux and nonmetallic

impurities in some welding processes. Slag inclusion can affect the strength and
integrity of a weld in its final application.

specifications

The design parameters that set the limits of acceptable deviation for a part's
intended application. Specifications are also called specs.

specs

The design parameters that set the limits of acceptable deviation for a part's
intended application. Specs are also called specifications.

star cracks

A gap or break in the surface of a weld that occurs at the crater of a weld
because welding was improperly terminated. Star cracks are also called crater
cracks.

transverse crack

A gap or break in the surface of a weld perpendicular to the weld axis that may
be completely within the weld metal or may extend from the weld metal into the
base metal. Excess hydrogen, an excessively strong weld metal, and high levels
of residual stress result in transverse cracks.

underbead crack

A cold gap or break in the surface of a weld that forms in the heat-affected zone
of a base metal. Underbead cracks are also called heat affected zone cracks.

undercut

A groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe or weld root that is left
unfilled by weld metal. The groove concentrates stress on the weld, and could be
a defect if outside the part's tolerances.

underfill

The extension of a weld face or root surface of a groove weld below the adjacent
surface of the base metal. Underfill results from the failure of a welder to
completely fill the weld joint.

weld face

The exposed surface of a weld on the side from which the welding was done.

weld gage

A device that determines whether or not a weld is within specified tolerances.

Some weld gages are designed for specific weld types like the fillet weld gage.

weld root

The point at which the back of a weld intersects the surfaces of the base metal.

weld spatter

Small particles of nonmetallic material that are expelled during the fusion of the
weld and base metals. Weld spatter is considered a serious discontinuity if it
interferes with the servicability of the part or with an additional operation, like
painting.

weld toe

The point at which the weld face and the base metal meet. Weld toes can
experience cracking and undercut.

weldment

A welded joint.