What happens if excessive oxidation occurs during welding?

Excessive oxidation during welding can lead to significant issues with the quality and integrity of the weld. When oxidation occurs, it introduces impurities into the weld pool, which can cause defects such as porosity, poor fusion, and decreased mechanical properties of the weld. These defects can ultimately compromise or ruin the weld, leading to a joint that is weak or susceptible to failure under load.

In contrast, features such as weld bead thickness, welding speed, or joint preparation are not directly related to the effects of oxidation. For instance, an increase in oxidation does not inherently affect the thickness of the weld bead or speed itself, nor does it improve joint preparation. Instead, it detracts from the overall quality of the weld, emphasizing the importance of controlling the welding environment to minimize oxidation for a successful welding outcome.