Each pass of a welding rod creates what?

The correct answer is based on the understanding of welding processes. Each pass of a welding rod creates a weld bead, which is a deposit of molten metal that solidifies to form a continuous, fused section between the base materials. The weld bead forms the structure of the weld itself and is crucial for the strength and integrity of the welded joint.

In a welding operation, as the welder moves the welding rod along the joint, the heat generated from the process melts both the rod and the base materials. Once cooled, this molten metal solidifies into a weld bead, contributing to the overall structure and robustness of the weld. The characteristics of the weld bead, such as its thickness, width, and appearance, can indicate the quality of the weld and the welding technique used.

Understanding components like the weld cap, weld joint, and weld pool is important; however, they serve different roles in the welding process. The weld cap refers specifically to the uppermost surface of the weld bead, while the weld joint is the area where two pieces of metal are joined together. The weld pool is the molten metal created during welding but does not refer to the finished product of each pass. Thus, the weld bead is the actual result of the welding pass, making it