| abstract |
Embodiments of the invention include a system (100, 1200, 2000) and method for welding or joining coated materials using an arc welding system, alone or in combination with a hot wire system, wherein the arc welding system uses a welding current, the welding current has an AC current portion to accumulate a droplet (D) for transition to the workpiece (115). In a further embodiment, the workpiece (115) is coated with a material, such as zinc, and the arc welding system uses an AC welding waveform capable of welding the coating with little porosity or spatter workpiece (115) and can achieve enhanced performance. Additional embodiments use an enhanced electrode to provide optimum porosity performance. Such embodiments allow welding of coated materials with little porosity and spatter and at a high welding rate. |