Chapter 8 Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding 215 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Some nozzles thread onto the gun. Other nozzles are designed to slip onto or over a nozzle adapter and are held by tension. See Figure 8-38. Under the nozzle lies the electrode contact tip that makes the electrical connection between the welding gun and the electrode. The contact tip is threaded into the adapter (diffuser). One end of the adapter threads into the welding gun. The other end has threads for installing the contact tip. Holes around the adapter allow shielding gas to escape into the nozzle. Shielding gas exits the end of the nozzle to protect the weld area. Figure 8-39 shows a welder installing an adapter, contact tip, and nozzle on a welding gun. Neck Electrode cable Nozzle adapter Insulator Nozzle Electrode Contact tip Adapter Metal O-rings Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 8-37. The nozzle end of a GMAW or FCAW–G torch. Nozzles Contact tip adapters Nozzle adapter Contact tips American Torch Tip Co. Figure 8-38. A number of different GMAW nozzles, contact tips, and contact tip adapters. Beech & Associates Figure 8-36. A GMAW gun. A—The nozzle on this gun is held in place by tension. B—An exploded view of an air-cooled GMAW gun. Gas nozzle A Handle Neck Adapter Nozzle holder Contact tip Nozzle Electrode entrance B Miller Electric Mfg. Co.