Final answer:
The travel angle of the welding gun in GMAW welding varies from 0 to 15 degrees and should never exceed 20 degrees. It affects the shape and penetration of the weld bead.
Step-by-step explanation:
When GMAW welding, the travel angle of the welding gun varies from 0 to 15 degrees and should never exceed 20 degrees. The travel angle refers to the angle between the gun and the workpiece surface. It affects the shape and penetration of the weld bead.
A steep travel angle (close to 15 degrees) produces a narrower, deeper weld bead with increased penetration. On the other hand, a shallow travel angle (close to 0 degrees) creates a wider, shallower weld bead with less penetration.
Exceeding a travel angle of 20 degrees can lead to several issues, including reduced weld penetration, poor bead shape, and possible lack of fusion between the weld metal and the base metal.