Method for build-up welding of material in the form of powder or wire onto a workpiece

A method of build-up welding a powdery or wire-shaped material onto a workpiece, which is preferably a flat substrate, by means of a device which comprises an substantially rod-shaped electrode, the electrode having at least one material feed channel extending in its interior for feeding the powdery or wire-shaped material into the arc, characterized in that

• the device comprises a nozzle surrounding the electrode and a working gas area which is formed between the electrode and the nozzle, the method comprising the following steps:
• forming the arc as a transferred arc between the electrode and the workpiece or as a free-standing arc between the electrode and the nozzle,
• flooding the working gas area with a working gas to constrict the arc in the direction of the workpiece,
• feeding the powdery or wire-shaped material into the constricted arc and
• moving the device across the workpiece as the powdery or wire-shaped material is being fed into the constricted arc.