What should a welder do if they notice excessive spatter during GTAW?

When a welder notices excessive spatter during Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), checking and adjusting the polarity used is the most appropriate response. In GTAW, the polarity refers to the direction of the electrical current flow, and it plays a significant role in the stability of the arc and the quality of the weld.

If the polarity is not set correctly for the specific materials being welded, it can lead to an unstable arc, which may increase the amount of spatter produced. Adjusting the polarity to match the requirements of the welding process and materials can help achieve a cleaner weld with less spatter.

While increasing the travel speed or lowering the welding temperature may also influence the amount of spatter, these adjustments do not directly address the underlying electrical characteristics that may be contributing to the problem. Similarly, switching to a different type of filler rod is not a fundamental fix to spatter issues caused by improper polarity. Therefore, adjusting the polarity is the most effective and direct approach to reduce excessive spatter and improve weld quality in GTAW.