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What is the main purpose of flux in welding?

  1. To create the arc

  2. To deposit metal

  3. To remove impurities

  4. To support the molten weld pool

The correct answer is: To remove impurities

The main purpose of flux in welding is to remove impurities. Flux acts as a cleaning agent by creating a protective gas shield around the weld area, preventing atmospheric contamination and removing impurities such as oxides and dirt. This helps enhance the quality and integrity of the welding joint by promoting good fusion between the base metals. The other options are not the main purposes of flux in welding: creating the arc is achieved through an electrode, depositing metal is the role of the filler material, and supporting the molten weld pool is typically done by the base metal itself or additional welding techniques.