08/07/2025
SMAW Welding stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding, and it’s also commonly called stick welding.
✅ What it is:
SMAW is a manual arc welding process that uses a flux-coated consumable electrode (the “stick”) to join metals.
✅ How it works:
• An electric current passes through the electrode, creating an arc between the tip of the electrode and the base metal.
• The intense heat melts both the electrode and the base metal, forming a molten weld pool that solidifies to create the weld.
• The flux coating on the electrode burns off, producing a shielding gas and slag that protect the molten metal from atmospheric contamination.
✅ Where it’s used:
• Construction and structural work
• Pipelines and shipbuilding
• Repairs and maintenance in workshops or the field
✅ Advantages:
• Portable and versatile — can be used outdoors and in windy conditions
• Works on rusty or dirty metals
• Simple, affordable equipment
✅ Disadvantages:
• Requires more skill for clean, high-quality welds
• Produces slag that must be chipped off after welding
• Not as fast or efficient as some automated processes
