How Do You Maintain Arc Welding Electrodes?
The electrodes used in arc welding have wire inside them so they need to be maintained and stored properly. The wires inside the electrode vary in diameter and properties. The electrodes are coded by a numbering system, which lets the welder know what the properties of that electrode are. Learn the numbering code to properly maintain and store the electrodes. According to the American Welding Society’s numbering system, the first 2 numbers of the electrode are the tensile strength of the metal inside the electrode. A 60 series electrode has the strength of 60,000 pounds. The third number indicates the position the electrode can be used in, such as horizontal, vertical or all positions. The fourth number shows the properties of the flux that’s used on the electrode. Store most electrodes in a dry place in the original box they came in. Welding electrodes can absorb moisture on the flux if not stored properly, and moisture can cause pinpoint bubbles in the weld. The flux is the covering
