7
WELDING FAULTS
FAULT
POSSIBLE CAUSE & REMEDY
Weld deposit 'stringy' and incomplete
1. Torch moved over work piece too quickly
2. Gas mixture incorrect
Weld deposit too thick
1. Torch moved over work piece too slowly
2. Welding voltage too low
Arc unstable
,
excessive spatter
and weld porosity
1. Torch held too far from the workpiece
2. Rust, grease or paint on workpiece
3. Insufficient shielding gas: check gas contents gauge,
regulator setting and operation of gas valve
W
ire
repeatedly
burn
s back
1. Torch held too close to the workpiece
2. Intermittent break in the welding circuit caused by:
i Contact tip loose - tighten
ii Contact tip damaged
– replace
iii Welding wire or liner corroded
– replace wire or liner
3. Wire feed slipping cause by:
i Restriction in liner (such as kinks) or contact tip
– check
and replace if necessary
ii Worn feed rolls
– replace
iii Guide tube or pressure roll alignments incorrect
Burning holes in the
workpiece
1. Torch moved too quickly or erratically
2. Welding volts too high
3. Wire feed speed too high
Lack of penetration
1. Torch moved too fast
2. Welding volts too low
3. Wire feed speed too low
SPOT WELDING FAULTS
FAULT
POSSIBLE CAUSE & REMEDY
Insufficient penetration
1. Spot weld time too short
2. Gap between metals to be joined too wide
3. Switch position too low
4. Welding settings too low
Holes burnt through workpiece
1. Spot weld time too long
2. Gap between metals to be joined too wide
3. Weld is too close to the edge of the material
4. Welding settings too high
Wire sticks to contact tip or workpiece at end of the weld
1. Burn off time incorrect
– expert assistance required since
burn back must be accurately timed
Wire burns back
1. Poor gas coverage
2. Burn back time incorrect