Weld Groove Angle Tool
A guide for selecting the appropriate included groove angle for a V-groove butt joint to ensure accessibility and achieve complete fusion.
Welding Scenario
Select your process and material thickness to see a recommended groove angle.
The Importance of the Right Angle
For a butt joint, the groove angle (or bevel angle) is the prepared angle of the joint. The **included angle** is the total angle between the two plates. This angle is critical for two reasons: accessibility and cost.
- Accessibility: The welder must be able to manipulate the electrode or welding torch to reach the bottom of the joint (the root) to achieve complete fusion. If the angle is too narrow, access is restricted, leading to defects like lack of sidewall fusion.
- Cost: A wider angle requires significantly more weld metal to fill, which increases the consumption of filler material and the time required to complete the weld. The goal is always to use the narrowest angle possible that still allows for good welder access and quality.