What is the natural bend in the welding wire referred to as?

The natural bend in the welding wire is referred to as "cast." This term describes the curvature of the wire as it exits the contact tip and interacts with the magnetic forces in the welding gun and the welding arc. The cast is important because it affects the feedability of the wire; too much cast can lead to feeding issues, while too little may not provide enough precision in guiding the wire into the weld pool. Understanding the cast is essential for ensuring a smooth and effective welding process, as it impacts both the stability of the arc and the overall quality of the weld.

While stickout refers to the distance that the electrode extends beyond the contact tip, arc length defines the distance between the tip of the welding wire and the base material, and feed rate indicates how quickly the wire is being fed through the gun, these terms relate to different aspects of the welding process rather than the natural bend of the wire itself.