During plasma arc welding, which outcome results from insufficient ionization energy within the plasma gas stream?

💡 Explanation

Insufficient ionization energy inhibits the plasma gas from reaching full ionization because energy input is too low meaning fewer charge carriers are present, so transferred heat decreases, inhibiting the weld. Therefore incomplete fusion occurs, rather than spatter, contamination, or porosity, requiring arc instability, reverse voltage, and atmospheric contamination.

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