Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) has become a leading welding process due to its ease of use and versatility. It utilizes a consumable electrode coated in flux to form the weld.
- Also known as stick welding or manual metal arc welding (MMA) and is one of the most common forms of welding.
- SMAW along with flux-cored arc welding are the dominant types of welding in building construction.
- An electric current (either alternating current or direct current from a welding power supply) is used to form an arc between an electrode coated in flux and the metals to be joined.
- A high output welding power supply for SMAW and GTAW
- The flux gives off gases to prevent oxygen reacting with the weld metal. The flux then solidifies to form slag on top of the weld. Once cool the slag can easily be chipped off.
- The polarity of the electric current affects the heat transfer to the joined pieces. Normally the positive (+) pole is connected to the electrode. When welding very thin material or single-sided welding, the negative (−) pole of an DC source is connected to the electrode.
- SMAW welding takes a lot of manual dexterity in order to be able to make good welds. Flat welds are easiest, but skilled welders can do vertical or overhead welding. The most skilled welders undertake joints in high pressure pipes which require a continuous transition between the various welding techniques.
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