Metal joining frequently involves the welding method known as MIG welding. An essential part of welding is weaving, which is rotating the welding torch back and forth while you weld to create a bigger bead and ensure uniform heat distribution. This makes the weld strong and secure and helps avoid cold laps.
You can weld thicker materials by weaving because it evenly distributes the heat and ensures optimal penetration. The stringer bead, crescent weave pattern bead, circular weave, zigzag weave, and figure-eight weave are some of the weaving patterns that can be utilized in welding.
Depending on the material being welded, its thickness, and its position, a certain weaving pattern will be employed. We will explain each of these weaving techniques in this lecture, as well as their proper applications.
Contents
What are welding beads?
The melted metal lines that remain after joining two pieces of metal together are called welding beads. They are produced as the metal and weld filler material melt and fuse as a result of the welding process’ heating.
Several variables, including the welding process, the filler material type, and the thickness and composition of the metal being welded, can affect the shape and appearance of the welding bead.
Because they aid in creating a solid and reliable bond between the two pieces of metal, welding beads are crucial.
Different types of welding beads. When it comes to laying welding beads, you can use different torch movements and techniques to get different results.
A flux-coated continuously with mechanically fed wire electrode is used in the welding method known as flux core welding. The flux is a substance that melts and forms a shield of gas around the weld, helping to shield it from impurities and oxidation.
What are the common welding positions?
There are four primary welding positions, each describing how the weldment is situated around the welder. As follows:
Flat position
The flat position, where the joint being welded is horizontal, and the welder is above it, is the most straightforward.
Horizontal position
The joint being welded is in a horizontal plane in the horizontal position, but the welder is welding from the side. This is a flat bead that is quite straight and narrow.
Vertical position
The joint being welded is in a vertical position, so the welder is welding upwards.
In a vertical position, you can avoid the molten metal drips that can occur if the weld puddle gets too hot, as when laying a stringer, when you are welding vertically with a weave pattern, you can avoid molten metal drips. It is liquid molten metal and can damage people and objects if it drips onto them.
Overhead position
The joint being welded must be above the welder’s head in the overhead position, which is the most challenging position.
Additionally, there are variants of these positions that are employed for certain purposes, such as the 45-degree angle position and the pipe position.
The specific application and the welder’s level of experience will determine the best position.
Gravity can affect your welding bead and how the joint is filled whether you’re welding vertically, up and down a pipe, or in an above position.
What is a concave bead?
A concave weave bead is a form of bead known as a concave welding bead that has an indentation or depression in the middle that gives it a concave shape bead, not a flat bead. When a strong, deep weld is necessary, this kind of bead is frequently employed in welding applications.
A stronger bond between the two pieces of metal being welded can be achieved by using more filler material due to the concave shape of the welding bead.
Also, because it offers more material to absorb and distribute the stress, the concave shape can assist prevent the weld from splitting or fracturing under pressure.
What is a convex weave bead?
A convex weave bead is a form of welding bead known as a convex bead that has a raised or humped center, which gives it a convex shape.
When a strong and attractive weld is necessary, this kind of welding bead is frequently employed in welding applications.
A smaller amount of filler material can be needed due to the convex shape of the welding bead, which can aid to lighten the weld and increase its strength.
What is a triangular bead?
A triangle weave bead is a particular kind of welding bead that is made by weaving the welding torch back and forth as the weld is being deposited in a triangular pattern. As a result, numerous overlapping triangles are formed, giving the bead its shape.
When a strong and attractive weld is necessary, this kind of welding bead is frequently employed in welding applications.
A stronger bond between the two pieces of metal being welded can be achieved by using a larger amount of filler material because of the welding bead’s triangular form.
With a triangular technique, you can create a small shelf of solidified filler material behind the weld puddle. A weld puddle, often referred to as a molten pool, is a small area where molten metal collects during the process.
The triangular design can also aid in more evenly distributing tension across the weld, lowering the possibility of cracking or breaking under pressure.
What is a ladder weave bead?
A ladder-like pattern is made by weaving the welding torch back and forth as the weld is being laid to generate a ladder weave bead. As a result, several overlapping horizontal lines are formed, giving the welding bead its shape.
When a strong and attractive weld is necessary, this kind of welding bead is frequently employed in welding applications.
A stronger link between the two pieces of metal being welded can be achieved by using a higher amount of filler material because of the ladder-like shape of the welding.
Jagged weave bead
The ladder bead and the jagged weave bead are quite similar. It also has a rectangle-like appearance. The smaller ends of the rectangle show the most difference. You make a few tiny up-and-down motions with the torch, instead of simply a slight horizontal and straight movement.
These pointed ends ought to resemble a hacksaw blade’s teeth. Employing this method guarantees a strong tie-in on the joint’s edges.
Factors on which welding bead patterns depend on
Several variables can affect the MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding techniques, including:
Voltage and wire feed speed
The weld bead size and form can be affected by the welding machine’s parameters for voltage and wire feed speed.
Travel speed
The size and shape of the weld bead can be affected by how quickly the welding torch is carried across the metal.
Welding angle
The position of the welding flame on the metal being welded can also have an impact on the size and form of the welding.
Shielding gas
The kind and velocity of shielding gas used during the welding beads procedure might affect how the weld bead appears.
Metal type and thickness
The welding bead’s form and appearance can be affected by the type and thickness of the metal being welded. Whereas thinner metals might need less filler material and a smaller welding, thicker metals might need more separate filler rod material and a larger bead.
Welding method
Using push or pull welding methods, for instance, might result in a variety of bead patterns.
Ultimately, a combination of these elements leads to the MIG weld bead pattern, which can be altered by the welder to get the desired results.
In addition, the application and the geometry of the components being joined determine the type of weld joint that is employed. To achieve a solid and reliable joint, the welder must select the optimal weld joint for the application, given the pros and cons of each type of weld joint.
When welding large joints, remember to use a weaving technique.
When you need to weld a larger connection, weave pattern beads are useful since they provide excellent, wide beads.
The filler rods used when stick welding beads can be pretty versatile and produce different welding bead patterns depending on the technique used.
FAQ
Should you weave when MIG welding?
Indeed, weaving is advised while using welding to ensure good penetration and a stronger weld. As you weave, you move the welding torch back and forth while you are welding beads, forming a broader bead and enabling the heat to disperse evenly.
This makes the weld robust and solid and helps to avoid cold laps, a weak region in the weld where the metal did not fully fuse.
To avoid severe heat buildup and metal distortion, it’s crucial to keep your speed steady and avoid excessive weaving.
What is the 5 weaving motion in welding?
Depending on the material thickness and the position of welding, a variety of MIG weave patterns can be used.
Once you decide to create weld beads, there are different variations of the weave pattern which look different and differ from the straight weld.
Some of the most popular weave designs are listed below:
Stringer weave bead
The stringer beads are the simplest and most used weaving design. To do this, create a narrow bead by running the welding torch in a straight line along the junction. For welding thin materials, it is perfect.
Moreover, stringer beads are used in hard-facing manipulations. When welding metal horizontally on a flat surface, it’s easy to drag the rod to lay a stringer bead.
In addition, stringer beads are known to be the main welding bead techniques
Crescent Weave bead
To form a broader weave bead at the joint, the welding beads torch is moved back and forth over the joint in the shape of a crescent.
When welding heavier materials, these bead patterns are advantageous since it offers greater penetration than the stringer bead.
Circle weave bead
The circle weave bead technique includes circling the joint with the welding torch to create a broader bead.
Furthermore, helpful for welding larger materials, these bead patterns offer greater penetration than a stringer weave bead.
Circle welds can be used in a few different situations, including welding thicker materials, vertical welding, and flat welding.
Zigzag Weave bead
To produce a broader bead, the zigzag weave technique includes rotating the welding torch back and forth over the junction.
In comparison to the stringer bead, these bead patterns offer better penetration and are excellent for welding heavier materials.
Figure 8 Weave pattern bead
Similar to the crescent weave, the figure-8 weave bead involves moving the welding torch over the joint in a figure-8 pattern.
In comparison to stringer beads, these bead patterns offer better penetration and are excellent for welding heavier materials.
In addition, whether you are feeding the weld pool using a mechanically fed wire, a separate filler rod, or a stick welding electrode, the torch movements are quite similar.
The precise weaving pattern utilized will depend on the material being welded, its thickness, and the stick welding position, which is vital to note.
Welders can produce durable, strong welds by selecting the appropriate weave bead pattern for the task at hand.
Conclusion
Weaving is a crucial welding method that can significantly increase the weld’s strength and quality. A broader bead is produced by moving the welding torch back and forth, ensuring appropriate penetration and heat distribution.
In addition, welders may ensure that they produce sturdy, high-quality welds that will last the test of time by mastering the various weaving patterns.
When welding larger materials, this approach is especially crucial since it helps avoid cold laps and makes sure the weld is sturdy and solid.
The precise weaving pattern used in welding depends on the material being welded, its thickness, and the welding position. Various weaving patterns can be utilized.
If you need to read about basic welding techniques, please read our article.
