What is considered an excessive travel angle in GTAW welding?

In Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), the travel angle is the angle at which the welding torch is held relative to the workpiece. An excessive travel angle is characterized by an angle that compromises the quality of the weld, typically leading to poor penetration, excessive spatter, and lack of proper fusion between the base materials.

Holding the torch at an angle greater than 35 degrees can cause the arc to be less stable and can make it difficult to control the molten pool. This can result in problems such as a narrow bead profile, undercutting at the edges of the weld, and insufficient heat being delivered to the weld joint, which ultimately affects the integrity of the weld.

Maintaining an appropriate travel angle generally ranges from 15 degrees to 25 degrees, which allows for improved visibility, control of the molten pool, and adequate heat penetration. Therefore, anything beyond 35 degrees is clearly excessive and detrimental to the welding process.