Figure 1: A schematic of a Metal Inert Gas Weld. • The electrode is a tool used to create the weld. It is supplied with heat and electricity, which creates a weld when it comes in contact with the base metal. Electrodes are made of metal which may or may not be consumed by the weld and added to the welding pool. • The welding pool is the liquid part directly under the electrode as it moves along the base metal, causing an instantaneous liquid pool before solidifying into a weld bead. This is because of the extreme heat.