What is the first step in preparing a weld?

Preparing for a weld requires that the surfaces to be welded are thoroughly clean, making cleaning the first and essential step in the process. This is crucial because contaminants such as dirt, rust, oil, or grease can interfere with the weld quality, causing issues like lack of penetration, poor bonding, or even weld failure. Cleaning the surfaces can involve methods such as grinding, wire brushing, or chemical cleaning to ensure that the base metals are free of any substances that might compromise the weld integrity.

The other steps mentioned, such as applying filler metal or heating the base metal, are important in the welding process but come after ensuring the surfaces are properly cleaned. Convexing the edges can also be part of the preparation, particularly for certain types of welds, but it still follows the need for clean and properly prepared surfaces. Thus, starting with cleaning ensures that all subsequent steps can be performed under optimal conditions to achieve a strong and reliable weld.