What is the main characteristic of Shield Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) or Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW)? a) The arc is produced between the piece a...

The answer is (a), the arc is produced between the piece and a coated metal electrode.

Shield Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) or Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW) is a type of arc welding that uses a consumable electrode to create an electric arc between the electrode and the workpiece. The electrode is coated with a flux that melts and creates a protective gas shield around the arc. This shield protects the weld from contamination and oxidation.

The main characteristic of SMAW is that the arc is produced between the piece and a coated metal electrode. The coating on the electrode provides several benefits, including:

• It protects the weld from contamination and oxidation.
• It helps to stabilize the arc.
• It adds alloying elements to the weld.

SMAW is a versatile welding process that can be used to weld a variety of metals, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. It is a relatively inexpensive process and does not require a lot of specialized equipment. However, SMAW can be a challenging process to learn and master.

Here are some of the other characteristics of SMAW:

• It is a manual process, which means that the welder must manually control the movement of the electrode and the arc.
• It is a relatively slow process.
• It produces fumes and slag, which must be cleaned up after welding.

Despite these challenges, SMAW is a versatile and widely used welding process.