Which statement accurately describes spray transfer in GMAW?

• A. It uses low current with droplets transfer by shorting
• B. It uses shielding gas only, not current
• C. It uses higher current with a continuous spray of tiny droplets
• D. It requires no shielding gas

Answer: (C)

Spray transfer in GMAW happens when the welding current is high enough to push many tiny molten droplets from the wire tip across the arc to the weld pool in a continuous spray. The key point is that the metal transfer is steady and comprised of small droplets, which requires both a stable, high current and appropriate shielding gas to keep the arc and weld protected. That’s why the correct description is a higher current with a continuous spray of tiny droplets.

The other ideas don’t fit because spray transfer is not driven by low current or by short-circuit phenomena, and shielding gas is essential to the process. One statement describes short-circuit transfer (low current with droplets via shorting), while another says shielding gas isn’t used or that no shielding gas is required—both of these contradict how spray transfer is stabilized and protected.