What distance must surfaces around the weld location be free from heavy rust, scale, or grease?

What distance must surfaces around the weld location be free from heavy rust, scale, or grease?

• A. Within 25 mm (1 in)
• B. Within 50 mm (2 in)
• C. Within 75 mm (3 in)
• D. Within 100 mm (4 in)

Answer: (B)

Keep the area around the weld free of heavy rust, scale, or grease within 50 mm (2 in). This cleanliness helps prevent contaminants from entering the weld pool, reducing defects like porosity and poor fusion, and it supports stable arc behavior and reliable inspection later. Rust, scale, and oil can all introduce hydrogen or other impurities, or be burned into the weld, so cleaning to a 2-inch radius around the joint is a practical standard to maintain quality.

Keep the area around the weld free of heavy rust, scale, or grease within 50 mm (2 in). This cleanliness helps prevent contaminants from entering the weld pool, reducing defects like porosity and poor fusion, and it supports stable arc behavior and reliable inspection later. Rust, scale, and oil can all introduce hydrogen or other impurities, or be burned into the weld, so cleaning to a 2-inch radius around the joint is a practical standard to maintain quality.