Our Sites
- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Our Publications
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Metal Fabricating Glossary
0-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
Definitions
- a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in flux. An electric current, either alternating current or direct current, forms electric arc between the electrode and the metals to be joined. As the weld is laid, the flux coating of the electrode disintegrates, providing a shielding gas and a layer of slag, both of which protect the weld from contamination until it cools. | Because of the versatility of the process and the simplicity of its equipment and operation, shielded metal arc welding is the most commonly used welding process. SMAW also is known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux shielded arc welding, and stick welding,
Internal Resources
If you have any comments or questions about the glossary, please contact Dan Davis, editor-in-chief of The Fabricator.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 05/14/2024
- Running Time:
- 62:12
Cameron Adams of Laser Precision, a contract metal fabricator in the Chicago area, joins the podcast to talk...
- Trending Articles
1
What software automation means for custom fabrication
2
Why employee-owned companies make sense in manufacturing
3
Building a successful welding program from the ground up
4
Press brakes, panel benders, and flat blank calculations
5
Nucor’s weekly steel price announcement continues to rattle markets
- Industry Events
Laser Welding Certificate Course
- May 7 - August 6, 2024
- Farmington Hills, IL
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
Advanced Laser Application Workshop
- June 25 - 27, 2024
- Novi, MI
Precision Press Brake Certificate Course
- July 31 - August 1, 2024
- Elgin,
- Upcoming Webcasts
Managing Dangerous Dusts from Metalworking
- June 26, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: Camfil Air Pollution Control