10 Welding Operation Mistakes and How To Solve Them

Providing welding quality assurance

From equipment to filler metals and consumables, there is plenty to keep track of in a welding operation — and plenty of opportunity for mistakes to occur. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

With a little know-how, you can avoid common welding mistakes, like these listed below, that can negatively impact quality, productivity and the bottom line.

Welding operation mistakes

Mistake #1: Repurposing old equipment

Repurposing old or dilapidated power sources, welder/generators or wire feeders can cause downtime and unexpected costs for troubleshooting problems related to dated equipment and technology. You should consider investing in newer technologies when possible.

Often, new equipment can provide you with a quick return on investment (ROI) and greater long-term savings by offering:

• Pulsed welding capabilities that provide an increased contact-tip-to-work-distance operating window and better fusion
  Higher wire feed speeds (also provided by pulsed MIG welding) for the same welding current compared to a traditional spray process
• Lower primary amperage draw that helps reduce operating costs
• Reduced weld prep time
• Synergic controls that simplify user training and operation

Performing a thorough cost-savings analysis before buying new equipment can help you assess payback and justify the expenditure.

Mistake #2: Using the wrong MIG gun size

Using a MIG gun with too-high or too-low amperage can lead to unnecessary costs for purchasing or replacing this equipment. Since there is downtime for part preparation, movement and/or fixturing, welding is typically intermittent. You may be able to use a gun with lower amperage or a lower duty cycle to gain maneuverability and reduce costs and fatigue.

However, if you have a high-amperage application or require longer periods of welding, use a higher amperage gun to avoid overheating. Be aware welding gun rated amperages are based on the percentage of carbon dioxide shielding gas used. As such, the use of a mixed argon/carbon dioxide shielding gas may lower the duty cycle from the specified rating.

Mistake #3: Purchasing filler metals based on cost only

Due to the initial up-front cost savings, you may be tempted to purchase less expensive filler metals. Doing so can often lead to greater long-term costs and lower productivity levels. Low-quality filler metals are often associated with issues like:

• Poor wire feeding
• Excessive spatter
• Weld defects

Look at the total cost of using a filler metal, including activities such as applying anti-spatter and post-weld grinding or rework. These may increase costs for labor that could be offset by a higher-quality and more expensive wire that provides better weld quality and productivity.

Mistake #4: Improper weld preparation

Skipping steps in weld preparation can lead to weld defects, rework or scrapped parts. There are several best practices to keep in mind to gain welding quality assurance.

• Always clean the base material before welding to prevent contaminants, like dirt, oil or grease, from entering the weld pool.
• Check for bad ground connections and loose or damaged cables, which can lead to excessive spatter. Damaged cables can also cause drops in voltage and lower heat input, resulting in inconsistent weld quality. Replace or tighten cables as needed.
• Assess weld joints for excessive gaps, as poor part fit-up can lead to issues like burn-through or distortion. Clamp or fixture the part in the correct position.
• Properly tack parts to avoid extra spatter, poor weld aesthetics and less-than-adequate weld penetration.
• When using anti-spatter spray, take care not to use too much. It can enter the weld joint and cause problems with weld penetration or even more spatter. It can also damage the insulator in the nozzle.
• Follow proper weld-parameter settings provided in the welding procedure specification (WPS).

Mistake #5: Improper preheat or interpass temperature control

Avoid preheating too little or skipping this portion of the welding procedure. Preheating deters cracking, since it slows down the cooling rate after welding. The type and thickness of the material you are welding will determine preheat and interpass temperature. You can find these requirements in the WPS or welding codes.

For the best results when welding carbon steel, preheat the material completely through and extend the heated area to approximately 3 inches on either side of the weld joint. Begin welding while the material is at or above the preheat temperature. Take care not to allow the weldment to cool below the required interpass temperature, as it can lead to cracking.

Mistake #6: Shielding gas inconsistencies

Using the correct type and/or mixture of shielding gas helps prevent weld defects, minimize spatter and reduce costs for rework or post-weld cleanup. Each gas offers distinct characteristics.

• Straight CO2 provides good weld penetration for carbon steel, but it is prone to spatter and has a less desirable arc characteristic than mixtures with argon.
• Argon/CO2 mixtures (a minimum of 80% argon for solid wire or as low as 75% for metal-cored wires) are a good choice for gaining higher deposition rates and lowering spatter when used in the spray-transfer mode on carbon steel.
• Be aware that gas selection is different when welding stainless steel or aluminum. For stainless steel, gas mixes containing less than 5% CO2 are recommended for spray transfer, while a 90% helium /7.5% argon/ 2.5% CO2 are generally recommended for short-circuit transfer. For aluminum, a 100% argon gas or argon/helium blends are common. If there is doubt about the necessary gas blend, wire manufacturers typically list the recommended gases on each wire’s specification sheet.
• For TIG welding, the appropriate argon/helium mixture can improve speed, quality and arc characteristics.

For both MIG and TIG welding operations, be sure shielding gases meet the purity requirements of the application and that gas delivery systems are free of contaminants.

Set the proper gas flow. Too little gas flow won’t properly shield the molten weld pool, while too much flow can cause weld pool turbulence.

Some best practices to follow:

The gas line should be as short as the application allows. Long hoses allow pressure to build up and be released when welding begins, causing an unstable arc, spatter and possible porosity.

The gas regulator, which helps ensure the correct gas pressure, should be located as close to the feeder as possible. When the regulator is located too far from the feeder, it can result in a surge of gas.

Mistake #7: Improper filler metal storage and handling

Storing filler metals in an area where they are prone to accumulating moisture or exposed to other contaminants (e.g. dirt, oil or grease) adversely affects their performance. To prevent damage, store filler metals in a dry, clean area with a relatively constant temperature until they are ready for use. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommended storage practices and be aware that welding codes may also specify requirements for storage.

Mistake #8: Disregarding MIG gun consumables

Overlooking the importance of consumables can lead to a host of problems, including:

• Unscheduled downtime for changeover
• Weld defects
• Premature contact- tip failure
• Poor shielding gas coverage

Always select the appropriate style and size of nozzle for the application, properly trim and install liners according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and select a contact tip that matches the wire diameter.

You should avoid the temptation to purchase less expensive, lower quality consumables, as they typically do not last as long or perform as well as OEM products. This can lead to more downtime and greater costs for purchasing and changeover.

Mistaken #9: Ignoring preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a frequently overlooked part of the welding operation, but it is critical to reducing unscheduled downtime and keeping costs low.

Regular care and inspection of the power source, welding gun, consumables and wire-feeding system can ensure optimal performance and productivity. This maintenance can be planned during routine pauses in the welding operation.

• Frequently inspect the gun and consumables to ensure they are contributing to weld quality and system performance.
• Look for loose connections that can naturally occur during welding and tighten as needed.
• Inspect for consumable wear and replace contact tips, gas diffusers and retaining heads as needed.
• Track how long a liner typically lasts and replace it before problems occur.

Mistake #10: Overlooking training opportunities

Never overlook the value of training or retraining. Investing time and money into building welders’ skill sets can yield significant long-term benefits, including greater efficiencies and quality throughout your operation. Proper training can give you a competitive edge over companies who have less-skilled labor and it promotes greater teamwork among employees.

Typically, training opportunities are available through equipment and filler metal manufacturers or welding distributors. Some technical colleges also offer training for specific applications and markets.

Preventing welding mistakes

Making mistakes is human nature — but with some careful consideration, it is easy to avoid the more common ones in your welding operation. Measuring long-term savings versus cutting costs up front is a particularly good way to avoid pitfalls that could lead to excessive downtime, quality issues or lost productivity. And it can have an excellent impact on your bottom line.