Welding Electrodes

Welding electrodes are essential tools in every form of welding. It is used to conduct the current through a work piece to fuse two pieces of metals. The welding process will determine the kind of electrodes to be used. The wire to be used will either be consumable or non-consumable. For the gas metal arc welding, it will require a consumable welding electrode. Non-consumable welding electrodes can be used in gas tungsten welding.

Welding electrodes are manufactured for different purposes. Notably, welding types will be classified by a five-digit number like the E7011M. Each figure and electrode will correspond to every piece of information, including information on the recommended welding position, the tensile strength, and even the penetration depth.

Welding electrodes will conduct the electric current, which heats it, resulting in a melt. Once it begins melting, the metals are joined together. They keep the electrode tip near the parent metal allowing the electric current to jump from the electrode tip to the other metal. The purpose, therefore, of the welding electrodes is to create an electric arc.

Welding electrodes are made up of two parts: the actual metal and the flux coating. The metal can vary from mild steel, cast iron, stainless steel copper bronze, etc. the choice of metal in welding electrodes will depend on the minerals that you want to join them together.