Material:Welding Electrodes
| MaterialInfoBox Welding Electrodes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms: | DE: Stabelektroden, Schweißelektroden, Mantelelektroden |
| On Site? | some |
| Location: | metal workshop |
| Suggested Tools: | welding transformer |
| Used with: | welding helmet |
| Contains: | core: usually steel; coat: various [1] |
Welding electrodes are the "sticks" in "stick welding".
They are consumed during the welding process as they melt and fill the newly created joint.
Most welding electrodes are not just bare metal but are covered with auxiliary substances that protect the hot weld against rapid oxidation. What isn't released as a gas will stay behind as slag (Schlacke) and can be removed with a slag hammer and wire brushes after it has cooled down. Make sure you wear goggles to protect yourself from sharp pieces!
As you don't want your weld to fail (e.g. rust) earlier than the pieces it connects, select electrodes that are stronger than your material.
Types
Here's a list of electrodes we are sharing in the metal workshop or have experience with (incomplete):
- Fincord E5122 RR6
- diameter: 2.5 mm
- length: 350 mm
- coat material: rutile (thick)
- very hot, can burn holes into approx. 1 mm thick steel
- Fincord E5122 RR6
- diameter: 2 mm
- length: 250 mm
- coat material: rutile (thick)
(information to further decipher the meaning of the electrode nomenclature according to DIN 1913 can be found here)
"Fincord" electrodes are supposed to be nice for unexperienced welders as they usually don't need to be baked and the slag falls off the weld easily. [2]
Storage
The electrodes should be stored in sealed containers, ideally with a packet of silica gel.
If they have become wet, they can be dried in a drying oven according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Further Reading
- Wikipedia
- Weld Guru - Welding Electrode: Chart and Selection (lots of ads & poor format, can we find a better source of this information?)
- Lincoln Electric - Storing and Redrying Electrodes
