What is a weld bead?

What is a weld bead?

• A. A decorative groove.
• B. The protective coating.
• C. The base metal before welding.
• D. The deposited weld metal formed during welding.

Answer: (D)

Weld beads are the deposits of molten metal laid down and fused to the base metal during welding. As the heat from the arc or flame melts filler metal (and part of the base metal), that molten metal flows along the joint and then cools to form a continuous layer that becomes part of the weld. This is the visible track you see along the seam, and its shape and size depend on heat input, travel speed, and technique. It’s not a decorative groove, not the protective coating, and not the untouched base metal—the bead is the deposited weld metal formed during welding.

Weld beads are the deposits of molten metal laid down and fused to the base metal during welding. As the heat from the arc or flame melts filler metal (and part of the base metal), that molten metal flows along the joint and then cools to form a continuous layer that becomes part of the weld. This is the visible track you see along the seam, and its shape and size depend on heat input, travel speed, and technique. It’s not a decorative groove, not the protective coating, and not the untouched base metal—the bead is the deposited weld metal formed during welding.