What is the primary function of the welding electrode?

The primary function of the welding electrode is to supply the filler metal and create an arc during the welding process. In welding, the electrode serves two crucial roles: it provides the filler material necessary for joining two workpieces and establishes the electrical arc needed to generate the heat required for melting the base metals and filler metal.

When the electrode is struck against the workpiece, it initiates the arc, which produces intense heat that melts both the electrode and the edges of the workpieces being joined. This melting creates a molten pool of metal that solidifies as it cools, forming a strong bond. The electrode itself can vary in composition and form depending on the welding process being used and the materials being welded, but its essential role in supplying filler metal and generating the arc is consistent across different methods.

In contrast, other options describe functions that are not directly tied to the primary role of the welding electrode. For instance, creating a protective gas shield is a characteristic of gas shielded processes and is typically accomplished by additional equipment rather than the electrode itself. Temperature control and measuring penetration depth are important considerations in the welding process, but these tasks are not the primary functions of the electrode.