Tweco 100 Weldskill - Manual (Page 24)

weldskill 100 iNVeRTeR
4-2 March 3, 2008
4.03 Arc Welding Electrodes
Metal arc welding electrodes consist of a core wire surrounded by a flux coating. The flux coating is applied
to the core wire by an extrusion process.
The coating on arc welding electrodes serves a number of purposes:
A. To provide a gaseous shield for the weld metal, and preserve it from contamination by the atmosphere
whilst in a molten state.
B. To give a steady arc by having ‘arc stabilisers’ present, which provide a bridge for current to flow across.
C. To remove oxygen from the weld metal with ‘deoxidisers’.
D. To provide a cleansing action on the work piece and a protective slag cover over the weld metal to prevent
the formation of oxides while the metal is solidifying. The slag also helps to produce a bead of the desired
contour.
E. To introduce alloys into the weld deposits in special type electrodes.
4.04 Types of Electrodes
Arc Welding electrodes are classified into a number of groups depending on their applications. There are a
great number of electrodes used for specialised industrial purposes which are not of particular interest for
everyday general work. These include some low hydrogen types for high tensile steel, cellulose types for
welding large diameter pipes, etc.
The range of electrodes dealt with in this publication will cover the vast majority of applications likely to be
encountered; are all easy to use and all will work on even the most basic of welding machines.
CIGWELD Electrode Selection Chart
Description Diameter Pack Part No. Application
Satincraft 13
2.5mm Handipak 322135 General purpose electrode suitable for all
positional welding and galvanized steel 2.5mm 2.5kg 612182
Ferrocraft 12XP
2.0mm Handipak 322128
General purpose, Xtra performance electrode
recommended for all positional (inc. vertical
down) welding of mild and galvanized steel.
2.0mm 2.5kg 612231
2.5mm 1kg 322129
2.5mm 2.5kg 612232
Speedex 12
2.5mm 1kg SP12251
User-friendly GP electrode for welding thin
section mild and galvanized steels. Excellent
for vertical down fillet welding applications.
2.5mm 2.5kg SP12125
Speedex 13 2.5mm 2.5kg SP1325
User-friendly GP electrode producing a quiet
smooth arc and a flat mitered fillet weld.
Table 4-1: Types of Electrodes