Puddle Weld [2021] Jun 2026

Unlike a plug weld, which requires a pre-punched hole, a puddle weld "burns through" the top layer to fuse it directly to the support member. How the Process Works

When most people picture a weld, they imagine a long, glowing bead tracing a seam between two plates of metal. But in the worlds of auto manufacturing, shipbuilding, and heavy fabrication, there is another, less glamorous but equally critical player: (also known as a plug weld or a rosette weld). puddle weld

Instead of welding the outside edges of the overlap (which can look messy and trap moisture), you drill or punch a hole in the top sheet. You then direct your welding arc into that hole, creating a "puddle" of molten metal that bonds the top sheet to the underlying parent metal. When you finish, the hole is filled flush with weld metal. Unlike a plug weld, which requires a pre-punched

To ensure structural integrity, puddle welds must adhere to specific standards regarding size and placement. Typical Requirement Usually 3/4 inch (approx. 19 mm) Weld Duration 3 to 6 seconds per spot Equipment Stick (SMAW) or Flux-Cored (FCAW) welding is often used Material Steel decking to open web steel joists (OWSJ) or beams Applications in Construction Instead of welding the outside edges of the

The welder strikes an arc on the surface of the top metal sheet.

In a steel building, the metal deck does more than just hold concrete; it acts as a diaphragm that transfers lateral loads (from wind or earthquakes) to the structural frames and bracing. Puddle welds provide a strong, rigid connection that allows the floor or roof system to act as a unified structural unit.