Estimate weld distortion before you strike an arc. Input material, thickness, weld length, joint type, and process. Get expected angular distortion, transverse shrinkage, and longitudinal shrinkage.
Last updated April 2026
Distance from weld to free edge
Key strategies include using balanced weld sequences (alternating sides), tack welding at close intervals before final passes, clamping or fixturing parts to resist movement, minimizing heat input with lower amperage and faster travel speed, and using backstep welding technique. Pre-bending parts opposite to the expected distortion direction also compensates for anticipated shrinkage.
Angular distortion occurs when weld shrinkage is uneven through the plate thickness. In single-V butt joints, the wider top of the groove deposits more weld metal than the root, causing the top surface to shrink more and pull the plates upward. Thinner plates and larger groove angles increase angular distortion. Double-V joints reduce it by balancing shrinkage on both sides.