glossary

The mixture of chemicals, minerals and metallic alloys applied to the core wire. The coating controls the welding current, the welding position, and provides a shielding atmosphere, deoxidizers to clean the weld metal, and the welding slag that absorbs impurities from the weld metal. It also helps shape the weld bead and becomes an insulating blanket over the weld bead.

The ability of a material to become permanently deformed without failure.

The change in chemical composition of a welding filler material caused by the admixture of the base material or previously deposited weld material in the deposited weld bead. It is normally measured by the percentage of base material or previously deposited weld material in the weld bead.

An electrical current which flows in only one direction in a conductor. Direction of current is dependent upon the electrical connections to the battery or other DC power source. Terminals on all DC devices are usually marked (+) or (-). Reversing the leads will reverse the direction of current flow.

The arrangement of direct current arc welding leads in where the electrode is the negative pole and work-piece is the positive pole of the welding arc.