Spatter is most directly caused by what?

• A. Excessive heat input
• B. Clean surfaces
• C. Proper gas coverage
• D. Good technique

Answer: (A)

Spatter is formed when the arc puts too much heat into the metal, making the weld pool very fluid and causing droplets to be ejected as the weld forms. Excessive heat input comes from settings or conditions that raise the energy delivered per inch of weld, such as high current, slow travel speed, or an arc length that’s too long. The result is droplets flying off and sticking to surrounding surfaces. While clean surfaces, proper gas coverage, and good technique help overall weld quality, they don’t directly cause spatter the way overwhelming heat input does. Keeping heat input in check with appropriate current, travel speed, and arc length minimizes spatter.