In terms of travel speed, what can too slow of a pace lead to in GTAW?

In Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), traveling at too slow of a pace can cause overheating and ultimately lead to burn-through in the weld. When you maintain a slower travel speed, the arc has more time to concentrate heat in a specific area of the base material. This concentrated heating increases the risk of raising the temperature above the material's melting point, which can lead to excessive penetration. If overheated, the base metal may burn through, creating a significant defect in the weld.

This scenario highlights the importance of regulating travel speed to ensure that heat is distributed evenly and appropriately for effective welding without compromising the integrity of the work. A proper travel speed helps achieve the desired penetration and fusion without causing excessive heat input that could weaken the weld joint or damage the material.