Catalog Description

Formerly known as WELD 20
Hours: 72 (18 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: An introduction to the principles of manual metal arc welding (MMAW), setup/use of MMAW equipment, and safe use of tools and equipment. Provides instruction in welding mild carbon steel fillet weld joints in various positions. Prepares students who wish to pursue a career in structural or pipe welding outdoors at various construction sites. (C-ID WELD 101X) (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply knowledge of safety standards for both a learning environment and work site environment with focus on Manual Metal Arc Welding to perform student assignments.
  • CSLO #2: Define terms related to this course; constant current output, duty cycle, fast freeze electrode, fill freeze electrode, low hydrogen, stringer or weave manipulation, undercut, weld toe and fillet weld size.
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate manipulative skills using Manual Metal Arc Welding on carbon steel plate in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead fillet weld positions.
  • CSLO #4: Analyze the relationship between heat input and metal fusion. Explain how current setting, arc length, travel and work angles, travel speed and electrode manipulation affect the heat input in a weld puddle.
  • CSLO #5: Demonstrate safe handling and proper manipulative skills using Plasma Arc Cutting to cut steel.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

72

Outside of Class Hours

36

Total Student Learning Hours

108

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives

  1. General Safety
    1. Identify typical safety hazards and precautions required when working in any typical metal workplace
    2. Identify personal protective equipment for head, eyes, ears, torso & arms, hands, legs, and feet that must/should be worn in a welding workspace as appropriate
    3. Apply appropriate safety measures for all individuals in a metal workplace
  2. Essential Variables During the Welding Process
    1. Identify the variables that affect heat input and weld quality while performing a weld
      1. Current
      2. Arc Length
      3. Direction of Travel & Travel Angle
      4. Work Angle
      5. Travel Speed
      6. Electrode Manipulation
  3. MMAW Welding Equipment
    1. Identify all external parts of applicable welding equipment
    2. Assemble and disassemble applicable welding components
    3. Describe the basic function of the welding process
    4. Identify the difference between Constant Current and Constant Voltage machines
    5. Explain why MMAW and GTAW use CC
    6. Explain why GMAW and FCAW use CV
  4. Basic Welding Types, Joints, and Positions
    1. Identify the 4 basic welding types
      1. Surface, Fillet, Groove, Plug/Slot
      2. List the 2 most common welding types
    2. Identify the 5 basic welding joints
      1. Butt, Lap, Tee, Corner, Edge
  5. Basic Welding Positions and how Welding, Types, Joints, and Positions  Combine
    1. Identify the 8 most common welding positions
      1. 1F- Flat Fillet, 2F- Horizontal Fillet, 3F- Vertical Fillet, 4F- Overhead Fillet
      2. 1G- Flat Groove, 2G- Horizontal Groove, 3G- Vertical Groove, 4G- Overhead Groove
    2. Apply the welding types to the 5 basic welding joints and identify the corresponding welding positions for each of those situations
  6. Welding Problems with MMAW and how to Solve Them
    1. Identify and determine solutions for the following welding problems
      1. Arc Hard to Start
      2. Poor Appearance
      3. Excessive Spatter
      4. Poor Fusion
      5. Undercutting
      6. Porous Welds
      7. Slag Inclusion
      8. Arc Blow
      9. Distortion
  7. Fillet Welds & Welding Symbols
    1. Identify the parts of a fillet weld and the 5 fillet weld profiles, (concave, flat, convex, excessive reinforcement, insufficient throat)
    2. Label which fillet weld profiles are desired, acceptable, generally unacceptable and always unacceptable.
    3. Explain the difference between a “weld symbol” and a “welding symbol”
    4. Identify the fillet weld symbol
    5. Describe all aspects of a fillet welding symbol and draw corresponding joints to dimension
      1. Identify the 3 basic parts of a welding symbol; arrow, reference line, and tail
      2. Explain the significance of information placed above or below the reference line
  8. Welding Polarities
    1. Explain the following polarities and their electron flow pattern
      1. Direct Current Electrode Positive
      2. Alternating Current
      3. Direct Current Electrode Negative
  9. Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) Safety and Operation
    1. Describe the safety features and hazards of a PAC system
    2. Identify the key parts of a PAC system
    3. Assemble and dis-assemble a PAC system
    4. Perform a series of clean straight and round cuts on scrap metal
    5. Trouble Shoot a PAC system
  10. Cutting with the Arc using 6010/6011
    1. Explain why Fast Freeze (F3) electrodes can be used for cutting metal
    2. Contrast the differences in current selection for welding vs cutting with 6010/6011 of a given electrode diameter
    3. Apply proper electrode manipulation technique to cut metal.
  11. Grinder Safety & Basic Use
    1. Identify key parts of a 4 -1/2” right angle grinder
    2. Demonstrate safe use of right-angle grinder with hard disc, cut-off wheel, and flap wheel
    3. Perform correct use of grinder and abrasive by minimizing abrasive degradation
  12. Welding Electrodes: F1, F2, F3
    1. Decipher the parts of an electrode classification
    2. Identify the four F-Groups and their common names
    3. List the deposition and penetration rates of each F-Group
    4. Name common filler metals and discuss their advantages/disadvantages for welding various carbon steel alloys
  13. Welding Electrodes: F4 (Low Hydrogen)
    1. Describe Hydrogen Embrittlement
    2. List best practices for handling and storage of low-hydrogen electrodes
    3. Explain why proper storage, handling, and use of low hydrogen electrodes is key to producing sound weldments
    4. Describe heating and re-baking procedures for low-hydrogen electrodes
  14. Hardsurfacing using MMAW
    1. List the common uses of Hardsurfacing
    2. Name four methods of applying hardsurfacing
    3. Explain the benefits of hardsurfacing
    4. Apply hardsurfacing to  carbon steel
  15. Tape Measure Use and Reading
    1. Demonstrate correct use of the basic features of a common tape measure and ruler in eighth inch increments
    2. Use tape measure in 1/8” increments right side up and upside down
    3. Use fractions to halves, quarters, and eights
  16. Basic Metallography
    1. Describe the difference between iron and steel
    2. Classify low, medium, and high carbon steel by percent carbon content
    3. Define hardness, strength, ductility, and weldability
    4. Explain basic relationship between carbon content, hardness, strength, ductility, and weldability.

Laboratory Objectives

1. Use safe shop practices.

a. Employ the correct use of Personnel Protective Equipment in welding applications.

b. Correctly and safely operate the welding equipment.

2. The following objectives will be applied to all lab projects in section 3.

a. Recall common terminology and concepts used in the application of welding operations and apply tot the lab setting

b. Employ pre-weld metal preparation and apply correct welding parameter adjustment tasks

d. Apply foundational skills to weld carbon steel to industry-based acceptance criteria

e. Apply demonstrated techniques to weld beads with each welding process used in this course on the assigned student projects

3. Apply Manual Metal Arc Welding techniques to successfully complete the following lab assignments;

a. Brick 1 Side 1. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E7018 1/8" 2F Stringers

b. Brick 1 Side 2. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E7018 1/8" 4F Stringers

c. Brick 1 Side 3. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E7018 3/32" 3F Up Stringers

d. Brick 1 Side 4. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E7018 1/8" 3F Up Stringers

e. Brick 2 Side 1. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E6010 1/8" 2F Stringers

f. Brick 2 Side 2. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E6010 1/8" 3F Down Stringers

g. Brick 2 Side 3. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E6010 1/8" 4F Stringers

h. Brick 2 Side 4. Multi-Pass Fillet Weld, E6010 1/8" 3F Up Stringers

i. Shops skills using layout, PAC, grinding with hard disc and flap disc, hardfacing, and 6010 cutting techniques to complete project

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Objective Examinations
              • Example: Tests, quizzes and assignments on welding and cutting equipment theory. Examples: Identify F1, F2, F3, F4 groups of electrodes. Describe the four types of SMAW power supplies.
            • Skill Demonstrations
              • Example: Lab assignments in each welding process are covered in this course. Student work is evaluated and graded based on industry weld quality standards. Example: Students will perform 2F tee joint weld.

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Laboratory
            • Lecture/Discussion
            • Distance Learning

            Lab:

            1. With Instructor demonstration and oversight, students will develop skill sets with the Plasma Arc Cutting process.
            2. Following class lecture, video presentation, and lab demonstration of welding with manual metal arc welding, students will practice manipulative skills in SMAW.

            Lecture:

            1. Instructor driven lecture and interpersonal group discussion on the correct welding techniques used in Manual Metal Arc Welding with each electrode classification followed by Instructor demonstrations and student training practice.

            Distance Learning

            1. Instructor will use slide show presentation, instructor created video, or lecture presentation on a learning platform to teach about best safety practices in the for personal protective equipment, the weld lab environment, and/or tools & equipment. Students will be given a scenario and expected to list the best safety practices that should be employed and explain why they should be used. Students will submit the assignment via text entry, file upload, video or audio recording.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            1. Student will research and read the the difference between a discontinuity and a defect. Student will be prepared to discuss the welder's role in preventing and repairing discontinuities and defects in the workplace. 2. Student will read the chapter from the textbook on Manual Metal Arc Welding electrodes and will be prepared to discuss in class.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            1. Student will report, the 5 main factors that affect heat input and proper fusion in a weld. Student will explain what changes these parameters, why and how they are interrelated. 2. Student will complete the review questions at the end of the chapter as assigned. 3. Student will perform various welds on lab assignments during each class meeting.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            Required Materials

            • Modern Welding
              • Author: Althouse, Turnquist, Bowditch
              • Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox
              • Publication Date: 2020
              • Text Edition: 12th
              • Classic Textbook?:
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • Shielded Metal Arc Welding
              • Author: Walker, Polanin
              • Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox
              • Publication Date: 2023
              • Text Edition: 10th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.