glossary

In any welding process using a solid or flux cored wire, the electrical stick-out is the distance from the contact tip to the un-melted electrode end. Sometimes called the ?amount of wire in resistance?. This distance influences melt-off rate, penetration, and weld bead shape.

The plasma arc torch part from which arc current is emitted.

All fusion welding methods produce the weld by moving a molten pool along the weld joint. When the heated metal cools the shrinkage introduces distortion in (or a change in the shape of) the welded structure.

The tapered part of the oxygen bore directly behind the throat in high pressure (high speed) nozzle designs. The divergency allows the high pressure to become close to atmospheric before it leaves the nozzle. This increases stream velocity and improves cut quality by keeping stream uniform. The increased velocity produces 10-15% higher cutting speeds.

A condition in which the welding or cutting arc of a plasma arc torch does not pass through the constricting orifice but transfers to the inside surface of the nozzle. A secondary arc is simultaneously established between the outside surface of the nozzle and the workpiece.