In welding, what is the term for the junction between the weld face and the base metal?

The term for the junction between the weld face and the base metal is referred to as the toe. In welding, the toe represents the point where the weld bead meets the base material, and it is a critical area as it is fundamental to the overall strength and integrity of the weld. The quality of the weld can often be assessed at the toe, as it can reveal whether there are any defects such as undercutting or lack of fusion, which can compromise the weld's performance.

Understanding the terminology in welding is essential for effective communication and ensuring that structural specifications are met. In contrast to the toe, other terms mentioned—like root, hump, and fillet—represent different aspects of a weld or welding technique. The root is typically the deepest part of the weld joint, while a fillet refers to a specific type of weld that joins two pieces of metal at a right angle, and hump is not a standard welding term related to junctions. Hence, recognizing the toe is vital for both learning welding processes and evaluating welds.