Shade numbers commonly used in oxyacetylene welding goggles are 10,11,12?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only 14
• D. Only 8

Answer: (B)

Shade numbers indicate how dark the filter in welding goggles or a helmet becomes to block bright light and UV/IR radiation. For oxyacetylene gas welding, the light from the flame is bright but far less intense than an electric arc. Because of that, the protective filter is kept lighter so you can still see the weld pool and manipulate the torch accurately. Typical filters used for gas welding are in the lower range, around 4 to 6, with 4 or 5 being common for many tasks. Using very dark shades like 10–12 would make visibility too poor for precise torch control, which is why those higher numbers aren’t used for oxyfuel welding.

The higher shade values are reserved for arc welding processes that produce far more radiant energy, where a darker filter is necessary to protect your eyes. So, the idea that oxyacetylene goggles commonly use shade numbers such as 10, 11, or 12 isn’t correct; lighter shades are appropriate for gas welding to balance protection with visibility.