What welding process requires the use of an electrode and produces an arc between the electrode and the base material?

The choice of Stick Welding as the correct answer is due to its specific operational characteristics. Stick Welding, officially known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), utilizes a consumable electrode coated in flux. When the electrode is struck against the base metal, it generates an electric arc that melts both the electrode and the base material, allowing for the creation of a weld pool. The arc itself is critical in maintaining the necessary temperature for melting and fusing the materials together.

In the context of welding processes, Stick Welding is distinct because it inherently relies on the formation of an arc between the electrode and the workpiece, which is central to its operation. The flux coating of the electrode provides a shielding gas during the welding process, protecting the molten weld pool from atmospheric contamination, further affirming its effective use in various types of welding applications.

Other processes, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG welding), have different mechanisms and electrode uses. While GMAW uses a continuous wire feed and requires a separate shielding gas, TIG welding employs a non-consumable tungsten electrode, which does not melt during the welding process. These distinctions clarify why Stick Welding is uniquely identified by its