Definition
An arc welding setup in which the electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply and the workpiece is connected to the positive terminal. Electrons flow from the electrode to the work, concentrating heat in the workpiece and producing deeper penetration with less electrode consumption.
Plain English
A way of wiring an arc welder so the rod is the negative side and the metal being welded is the positive side. This pushes more heat into the metal than into the rod, so the weld goes deeper and the rod lasts longer.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance welding instructions, especially when a procedure specifies how to connect the welding leads before making a repair.
Derivation
Straight' here is an old electrical-trade convention meaning the 'normal' or 'standard' polarity arrangement used historically in stick welding. The opposite arrangement is called 'reverse polarity.' Knowing this helps explain why the term sounds vague — it simply means the original, default wiring.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft mechanics and builders selecting a welding setup must match polarity to the job. Straight polarity is preferred for thicker steel because it puts heat into the work; using the wrong polarity can cause poor penetration or burned electrodes, leading to weak welds in critical structures.
Intuition Check
Straight does not mean the weld bead is straight. Here it means the normal direct-current connection: electrode negative, work positive.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic set the welder to straight-polarity arc welding before joining the steel tubing on the engine mount.
Example Sentence 2
Straight-polarity settings were selected for the root pass on the steel tube fuselage repair.