Arc welding process using a consumable stranded wire electrode

An arc welding process which comprises:

• forming a consumable stranded wire electrode by integrally intertwisting a plurality of wire elements substantially of the same sectional area such that the lines connecting center points of adjacent wire elements do not form a regular polygon in a sectional plane;
• passing said consumable wire electrode through the interior of a hollow conducting tip having an inlet end, an outlet end and an inner periphery;
• and imparting a bending trait to said consumable wire electrode to contact said consumable wire electrode constantly with a surface on said inner periphery and at said outlet end of said conducting tip, providing an electrical potential between said tip and a material to be welded and directing said arc toward a center line of weld, wherein said consumable wire electrode is imparted with said bending trait with an amplitude of 5-60 mm when measured with respect to a segment forming an arc of 300 mm in length.