What is the difference between continuous welds and stitch welds?

• A. Stitch welds join along the full length.
• B. Continuous welds join along the full length, while stitch welds are short, spaced segments used to control distortion and heat input.
• C. Continuous welds are always shorter than stitch welds.
• D. Stitch welds use no filler metal.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how welds are laid out along a joint to manage heat and distortion. A continuous weld runs along the full length of the joint in one uninterrupted bead, giving the joint very solid, uniform metal deposition and strong structural continuity. But this approach concentrates heat along the seam, which can drive up distortion and create a larger heat-affected zone, especially on thin or restrained pieces.

Intermittent or stitch welds place short weld segments at spaced intervals with gaps in between. This spreads out and limits heat input, allows cooling between welds, and helps control distortion and residual stresses. The seam isn’t a continuous weld, but with the right spacing and design it can still meet strength requirements. Filler metal usage isn’t what defines stitch welds; they can be done with or without filler depending on the joint and process.