However, a good weld is not merely good looking on the surface. Real strength is how well that metal fits underneath and whether it’s the right weld for the job. These are the main parameters for a strong weld:

1) Good joint preparation

The parts must fit well before any welding begins. Before the weld itself, clean metal and any gaps that need to be filled, as well as prep (for thicker steel) allows for a nice edge where fusion takes place. For a Fabrication Company Gloucester, contact mber.uk/steel-services/fabrication-gloucester

Weak weld warning sign: incomplete washout of paint, rust, oil or galvanising from the joining surface and surrounding area.

2) Proper penetration and fusion

Penetration is when the weld melts into and penetrates through the base metal, not just lies on top of it. Fusion refers to the weld metal satisfying welding at both sides of the joint.

A tidy looking weld is no guarantee, as it can be poor penetration that causes the weld to crack or fail because of a lack of contact between both base metals.

3) Correct weld size for the load

Bigger is not always better but the weld needs to be big enough for all of those forces (weight, vibration, impacts).

4) The technique and settings

We get heat, travel speed and wire/rod choice factoring in. If the weld is too cold, there will be lack of fusion; if it is too hot, distortion may occur and weaken the strength of surrounding metal.

5) Quality control

Good welds: check fit-up, good alignment and consistency – no cracking or porosity.

When hiring the welder, ask them what prep they need for material and how they’ll protect work after it’s finished. Are any repairs to be tested or inspected? This is typically where strength gets earned or lost.