What phenomenon occurs when the welding speed is set too high?

When the welding speed is set too high, the phenomenon that occurs is the formation of narrower weld beads that may lack adequate penetration. This happens because a high travel speed reduces the time the welding arc is in contact with the base material, limiting the heat input required for proper fusion. As a result, the weld pool does not have enough time to adequately melt the edges of the joint, leading to insufficient penetration into the base material. This can compromise the joint's strength and integrity, making it critical for welders to balance their travel speed with the necessary heat input to achieve quality welds.

In contrast, excessive penetration, wider weld beads, or complete process failure are not typically direct results of high welding speed. Excessive penetration generally occurs with lower travel speeds or increased heat input. Wider weld beads may also result from increased heat or slower speeds rather than an increase in travel speed alone. Lastly, while high speed might lead to defects or poor weld quality, the process will generally not fail entirely; instead, the weld may just be subpar or inadequate.