A welds ____ is the extent to which the weld metal combines with the base metal, as measured from the surface of the base metal.

A welds ____ is the extent to which the weld metal combines with the base metal, as measured from the surface of the base metal.

• A. Penetration
• B. Fusion
• C. Bonding
• D. Coverage

Answer: (A)

Penetration is the depth to which the weld metal fuses with the base metal, measured from the surface of the base metal. It describes how far the molten weld metal has melted into and fused with the parent material. This differs from coverage, which is about how much of the joint surface is covered by weld metal, and from fusion and bonding in more general senses. Deep penetration means the weld extends further into the thickness of the base metal, forming a stronger joint, while shallow penetration leaves more of the base metal unfused.

Penetration is the depth to which the weld metal fuses with the base metal, measured from the surface of the base metal. It describes how far the molten weld metal has melted into and fused with the parent material. This differs from coverage, which is about how much of the joint surface is covered by weld metal, and from fusion and bonding in more general senses. Deep penetration means the weld extends further into the thickness of the base metal, forming a stronger joint, while shallow penetration leaves more of the base metal unfused.