| Welding
is an important tool for efficient maintenance of plants and quality
fabrication in industry.
In applications varying from simple fabrications of plain carbon
steel to demanding joints in high strength materials welding process
is widely used. The welding electrode in this process serves both
as the arc carrier and the filter metal. It consists of an alloyed
or unalloyed core-wire and a flux coating. Electrodes are available
in various diameters and lengths, depending on the position, material
thickness and requirements of the welded joint.
Types of Electrodes
There are five main groupings of electrodes:-
1. Rutile (Titanium dioxide)
2. Basic (Calcium carbonate and fluoride)
3. Cellulostic (Cellulose)
4. Iron powder
5. Surfacing and non-ferrous alloy types
Care and storage of electrodes
Generally, it is assumed by the welding engineers that quality
of the welding depends on the skill of the welder or the quality
of the welding consumable, i.e. the electrode. More often than not
another factor, moisture, plays an important role in the "poor"
quality of welding
The quality of welded joint and ease of welding depends entirely
on the condition of electrodes. If the mineral coating is damaged,
poor arc stability and inadequate shielding will result.
As most electrodes are mineral coated, they are highly hygroscopic
in nature. If not properly stored most of the coating materials
can absorb water. This could result in coating deteriorating and
subsequent hydrogen pick-up in the weld bead
Bry-Air Solution
These hazards can be eliminated by ensuring that humidity is properly
controlled at the time of
1- Manufacture
2- Storage prior to packaging
3- During packaging
4- Bulk user storage
Relative Humidity should be maintained at 40±5% at ambient
temperature to retain the quality of the mineral coating of welding
electrode by installing a Desiccant Dehumidifier.
The Bry Air Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air through
a process of continuous physical adsorption. Bry-Air has a large
range of standard and engineered Dehumidifiers, which can maintain
RH at the desired level thereby ensuring longer self life of electrodes. |
