A ____ degree angle or less to the plate surface prevents air from being pulled into the welding zone behind the rod.

A ____ degree angle or less to the plate surface prevents air from being pulled into the welding zone behind the rod.

• A. 25
• B. 30
• C. 15
• D. 20

Answer: (C)

Shielding gas coverage is crucial in GTAW, and the way you hold the filler rod to the work surface directly affects air entrainment. Keeping the filler rod at a shallow angle to the plate—about 15 degrees or less—helps the inert gas blanket stay over the weld pool and the rod tip. This orientation prevents air from being sucked in behind the rod as you advance the weld, which would otherwise disturb the shield and risk oxidation or porosity. If you hold the rod at a larger angle, air can more easily be drawn into the weld zone behind the rod. In practice, the filler rod is fed with only a slight tilt toward the pool, typically in the 10–15 degree range, which is why 15 degrees or less is recommended.

Shielding gas coverage is crucial in GTAW, and the way you hold the filler rod to the work surface directly affects air entrainment. Keeping the filler rod at a shallow angle to the plate—about 15 degrees or less—helps the inert gas blanket stay over the weld pool and the rod tip. This orientation prevents air from being sucked in behind the rod as you advance the weld, which would otherwise disturb the shield and risk oxidation or porosity. If you hold the rod at a larger angle, air can more easily be drawn into the weld zone behind the rod. In practice, the filler rod is fed with only a slight tilt toward the pool, typically in the 10–15 degree range, which is why 15 degrees or less is recommended.