Weld Imperfection - Lack of Fusion and Penetration



Lack of union between the weld metal and the parent metal or between the successive layers of weld metal

LACK OF SIDEWALL FUSION

Lack of union between the weld and parent metal at one or both sides of the weld

Causes

Low heat input to weld
Molten metal flooding ahead of arc
Oxide or scale on weld preparation
Excessive inductances in MAG dip transfer welding

Prevention

Increase arc voltage and/or welding current; decrease travel speed
Improve electrode angle and work position; increase travel speed
Improve edge preparation procedure
Reduce inductance, even if this increases spatter

Comments

During welding sufficient heat must be available at the edge of the weld pool to produce fusion with the parent metal.

LACK OF INTER RUN FUSION

A lack of union along the fusion line, between the weld beads

Causes

Low arc current resulting in low fluidity of weld pool
Too high a travel speed
Inaccurate bead placement

Prevention

Increase current
Reduce travel speed
Retrain welder

Comments

Lack of inter-run fusion produces crevices between the weld beads and causes local entrapment of slag.

LACK OF ROOT FUSION

Lack of fusion between the weld and parent metal at the root of a weld

Causes

Low heat input Excessive inductance in MAG dip transfer welding,
MMA electrode too large (low current density)
Use of vertical down welding
Large root face
Small root gap
Incorrect angle or incorrect electrode manipulation
Excessive misalignment at root

Prevention

Increase welding current and/or arc voltage; decrease travel speed
Use correct induction setting for the parent metal thickness
Reduce electrode size
Switch to vertical up procedure
Reduce root face
Ensure correct root opening
Use correct electrode angle. Ensure welder is fully qualified and competent
Ensure correct alignment

LACK OF PENETRATION

Incomplete Penetration

The difference between actual and nominal penetration

Causes

Excessively thick root face, insufficient root gap or failure to cut back to sound metal in a ‘back gouging’ operation
Low heat input
Excessive inductance in MAG dip transfer welding, pool flooding ahead of arc
MMA electrode too large (low current density)
Use of vertical down welding

Prevention

Improve back gouging technique and ensure the edge preparation is as per approved WPS
Increase welding current and/or arc voltage; decrease travel speed
Improve electrical settings and possibly switch to spray arc transfer
Reduce electrode size
Switch to vertical up procedure

Comments

If the weld joint is not of a critical nature, i.e. the required strength is low and the area is not prone to fatigue cracking, it is possible to produce a partial penetration weld. In this case incomplete root penetration is considered part of this structure and is not an imperfection (this would normally be determined by the design or code requirement).

Incomplete Root Penetration

One or both fusion faces of the root are not melted. When examined from the root side, you can clearly see one or both of the root edges unmelted.

Causes and prevention
Same as for lack of root fusion


Comments