What is another term used to describe erratic wire feed with GMAW?

Arc hunting refers specifically to the phenomenon that occurs during Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) when there is an erratic or inconsistent arc length caused by fluctuations in the wire feed speed. This inconsistency can lead to a lack of stability in the welding process, resulting in poor weld quality and difficulties in controlling the weld bead placement.

When the wire feed speed is unstable, it can cause the arc to "hunt" or vary in intensity and position, essentially bouncing around rather than maintaining a steady state. This can create challenges for welders in achieving consistent penetration and bead shape.

In contrast, other terms related to wire feed issues—like arc stability, wire binding, or feed fluctuation—do not specifically capture the nature of erratic behavior associated with arc length during the welding process. Therefore, arc hunting is the more appropriate term for describing this particular issue in GMAW.