Metal Fabricating Glossary

shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)

Definitions

1. a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in flux. An electric current, either alternating current or direct current, forms electric arc between the electrode and the metals to be joined. As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode disintegrates, providing a shielding gas and a layer of slag, both of which protect the weld from contamination until it cools. | Because of the versatility of the process and the simplicity of its equipment and operation, shielded metal arc welding is the most commonly used welding process. SMAW also is known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux shielded arc welding, and stick welding,

Internal Resources

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