Which of the following is a likely cause of whiskers?

Which of the following is a likely cause of whiskers?

• A. Too Wide Of Gap
• B. Good Fit-Up
• C. Clean Surface
• D. Correct Travel Speed

Answer: (A)

Whiskers are more likely when the joint gap is too wide. When the gap is larger than what the welding process is set to bridge, the arc has to reach farther to fuse the edges, and the filler metal may not wet the edges evenly. This uneven wetting and heat distribution can produce thin, hair-like projections along the weld toe—those are the whiskers. Keeping the gap within the specified size allows the arc and filler metal to properly bridge the joint, resulting in a cleaner bead with better fusion. A good fit-up, a clean surface, and maintaining the correct travel speed all help prevent whiskers by promoting stable heat input and proper edge wetting.

Whiskers are more likely when the joint gap is too wide. When the gap is larger than what the welding process is set to bridge, the arc has to reach farther to fuse the edges, and the filler metal may not wet the edges evenly. This uneven wetting and heat distribution can produce thin, hair-like projections along the weld toe—those are the whiskers. Keeping the gap within the specified size allows the arc and filler metal to properly bridge the joint, resulting in a cleaner bead with better fusion. A good fit-up, a clean surface, and maintaining the correct travel speed all help prevent whiskers by promoting stable heat input and proper edge wetting.