The other benefit is that, in the case of most arc welding processes, a slight increase in travel speed would in most cases see an increase in root penetration so that the actual throat thickness is increased:Īn oversized weld is therefore very costly to produce, may not have 'better strength' and is wasteful of welding consumables and may see other fabrication problems including excessive distortion. This coupled with the already over specified weld size from the designer's 'safety factor' may lead to a weld that is twice the volume of a correctly sized fillet weld.īy keeping the weld to the size specified by the drawing office, faster welding speeds can be achieved, therefore increasing productivity, reducing overall product weight, consumable consumption and consumable cost. This extra 2mm constitutes an increase in weld volume of over 80%. The outcome is an oversized weld with perhaps an 8mm leg length rather than the 6mm specified by the designer. It is also common to hear 'add a bit more it will make it stronger'. Once the drawing has been issued to the shop floor, it is usual to find an additional safety factor also being applied on by the welder or inspector. National Structural Integrity Research Centre.Structural Integrity Research Foundation.
