What type of bead is usually used for the cover pass on a 3F weld on 10 mm (3/8") material?

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Multiple Choice

What type of bead is usually used for the cover pass on a 3F weld on 10 mm (3/8") material?

For a vertical fillet weld on a thick plate, the cover pass is best done with a weave bead. Weaving across the joint creates multiple small overlapping beads that build up a wider, flatter cap, which helps fill the weld face evenly and control heat input on the vertical surface. This reduces the chances of sagging, undercut, or an uneven crown and gives a smoother, more consistent finish over the previous passes. A straight stringer bead would migrate along the joint with less surface coverage and can leave gaps or a uneven surface, while a cap bead is typically associated with finishing groove welds rather than the final fill on a thick vertical fillet. The crescent bead is not the standard approach for this scenario.

For a vertical fillet weld on a thick plate, the cover pass is best done with a weave bead. Weaving across the joint creates multiple small overlapping beads that build up a wider, flatter cap, which helps fill the weld face evenly and control heat input on the vertical surface. This reduces the chances of sagging, undercut, or an uneven crown and gives a smoother, more consistent finish over the previous passes. A straight stringer bead would migrate along the joint with less surface coverage and can leave gaps or a uneven surface, while a cap bead is typically associated with finishing groove welds rather than the final fill on a thick vertical fillet. The crescent bead is not the standard approach for this scenario.

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