What is the purpose of the flux on the welding rod?
Welding arcs are at a very high temperature (usually between 2,000 and 5,000 degrees F.). At these high temperatures, elements in the air (such as oxygen and nitrogen) react with the elements in the metal to be welded, and form compounds that affect the strength and characteristics of the metal. To keep a strong metal, the welding arc must be shielded from the air. The flux coating on the welding rod “burns” when the arc is established and forces air away from the weld area.
