Molten droplets thrown clear of the arc that freeze as beads on the base metal, nozzle and anything nearby. It is heaviest with CO2 shielding, globular transfer, long arcs, wrong polarity and high voltage. Besides cleanup cost, spatter blocks gas flow in MIG nozzles, and on machined or coated surfaces it is a reject. Anti-spatter spray and correct settings keep it down.
Turn the voltage down a hair, you're throwing spatter all over the machined face.
Also heard as
- weld spatter
- BBs
Related terms
GMAW
Gas metal arc welding: a continuously fed wire electrode shielded by gas, known in the shop as MIG.
Shielding gas
Gas that protects the arc and molten weld from the surrounding air in GMAW, GTAW and gas-shielded FCAW.
DCEP
Direct current electrode positive: welding polarity with the electrode on the positive terminal.
Cup
The ceramic or glass nozzle on a TIG torch that directs shielding gas; also a MIG gun nozzle.