What factors affect the appearance and strength of a weld bead?

The angle of the electrode and travel speed significantly influence both the appearance and strength of a weld bead. The angle of the electrode affects the distribution of heat and the way the filler material is deposited into the joint. A proper angle ensures that the weld pool is balanced, promoting good fusion among the materials being joined.

Travel speed is equally important; if the welder moves too quickly, insufficient heat is applied to create a strong bond, while moving too slowly can lead to excessive heat input, resulting in defects such as burn-through or warping. The combination of these factors ultimately impacts the bead's profile, penetration, and overall quality, making them crucial considerations for producing effective welds.

While other choices mention aspects such as electrode thickness, type of weld, and material type, they do not directly address the interaction of travel speed with the electrode angle in shaping the weld's appearance and mechanical properties to the same degree.