Electrode is a metal rod with a special coating, designed for welding

The modern process of production of metal products involves the use of the latest technology. This allows the products to meet demand requirements. For this, different materials with certain characteristics are used.

The electrode is the element necessary for welding. For each variety of metal and the technique of its processing, various types of metal are used. Therefore, there are quite a few brands of electrodes.

general characteristics

As already mentioned, the electrode is a material that participates in the arc welding process . They began to be used in the 19th century. But today's varieties have improved characteristics. They allow you to speed up the process of manufacturing products and reduce the consumption of materials, energy, etc.

In order for the weld to conform to the norms and quality standards, it is necessary for each type of metal to choose its own specific type of electrodes. Otherwise, the product will not be usable.

It should also be noted that electrodes, whose price is much less than average, are made of poor-quality materials. Therefore, in order to comply with the right technology, it is necessary to purchase welding elements of proven manufacturers. Only in this case, there is no doubt that the electrodes will be performed in compliance with all requirements.

Device

The metal rod of the electrode is capable of conducting current. Thanks to this design, electricity is applied to the surface being treated, and the master produces arc welding.

Previously, the described elements were applied only uncovered. Today, such products are used as a wire for welding in an inert gas environment. And the characteristic of electrodes assumes presence on them of a special covering layer. To work with their help can be in different positions, which reflects the class of the product.

The products manufactured by manufacturers are mostly universal in terms of conducting current. It can be constant direct or reverse polarity, as well as variable. The choice depends on the properties of the metal.

Classes of electrodes

According to the permissible welding positions, there are 4 classes of electrodes:

1. Products that accept all the provisions of creating a seam.
2. Electrodes that assume application in almost all directions, except for the vertical (bottom-up).
3. Electrodes of the 3rd class are designed for welding from the top down, the horizontal and the lower of its variety.
4. Products used for the lower direction.

To indicate the purpose of the electrodes, Russian letters are used. But if the product is imported, the marking will have English designations. Such varieties are more expensive than domestic ones. For example, for high-carbon steel, the designation has the letter Y. But alloyed heat-resistant steels go on sale with the designation T.

Also modern electrodes can be non-melting and melting. The latter of them, in turn, are divided into 2 varieties - covered or not. The coating plays the role of protection for the welding arc from the effects of the atmosphere.

Electrodes 4 mm in diameter are most often used for arc welding. But on offer are products with a rod from 2.5 to 5.0 mm.

Varieties of application

The existing brands of electrodes allow them to choose the most suitable variety for each type of work. This guarantees high quality of technological processing.

Incorrectly selected type of electrode becomes the cause of unsatisfactory result. There is a list of the main types of materials being welded:

• Heat resistant alloy steel;
• High-alloy steel with special properties;
• Structural steel;
• Non-ferrous metals;
• cast iron.

Each of them requires its own kind of electrodes. Experienced masters know which product class is more suitable for each process and will not use, for example, for surfacing the electrodes used for welding cast iron.

Types of Coatings

The definition of the electrode brand is also carried out on the basis of their coverage. They are indicated by letters.

A - have an acid coating (oxide of iron, silicon, manganese).

B - basic coating (calcium carbonate, calcium fluoride).

C - the electrodes have a cellulose top layer. This can be flour, cellulose or other organic compound.

P - coating is performed from rutile. In the layer of this substance, certain mineral or organic compounds are introduced.

P - other, less frequent in application varieties of coating. They are used for special technological operations.

The methods of using electrodes depend on the type of coating. Therefore it is necessary to know their properties.

Description of coatings

Acid electrodes of brand A have certain toxic characteristics. Most often their purchase is carried out in bulk at a price of 1 kg from 70 rubles.

Buying the main varieties of class B, it must be remembered that they are used for welding of critical structures with a direct current of variable polarity. Their cost also starts at 70 rubles per kilo.

Mark C in the work creates a gas protection of the material. These are electrodes, the price of which can reach 200 rubles per kilogram.

They have proven themselves in the process of manufacturing the product of grade P. The additives that make up the coating not only provide gas protection to the surface, but also contribute to the low spattering of the metal. On sale there are similar products costing from 700 rubles / kg.

Other varieties can be sold even individually. Their cost varies depending on the type of work.

Subclasses

Electrodes for carbon low-alloy steel include 9 types of products. These are MR-3, OZS-6, ANO-3, SSSI 13/45, 13/55, etc. Their group is marked with Y.

For alloyed structural steels , 5 types of electrodes are used. Their marking has the letter L.

If it is necessary to work with heat-resistant alloy steel, they buy T-type products. This group includes 9 electrodes.

Group B is designed for high-alloy steel with special characteristics.

When performing surfacing, electrodes with an H designation are used. This allows to weld layers of materials that have special characteristics.

What type of current to use in the work also depends on the type of product. Many varieties today are universal. But there are narrowly subspecific subspecies. The alternating current electrodes are MP-3, ANO, and permanent - SSSI 13/55, 13/45.

Tips for choosing

The electrode is one of the elements of arc welding, on which the quality of the final product depends. Therefore, his choice should be approached as responsibly as possible.

In no case can not buy cheap products. Their production is most often performed without compliance with regulatory requirements. In the process of work, they may lead to marriage or create insufficiently strong seams.

The range of prices for the products presented is quite large. But to acquire cheaper, but not suitable for this process of metal processing electrodes does not make sense. Their characteristics must fully comply with the welding technology for a certain type of work. The savings in this case are simply irrelevant. Knowing the marking of the electrodes, you can easily choose the right version of the product.

Having familiarized ourselves with the welding equipment, we can conclude that the electrode is an indispensable element of the process. The result of the work depends on its type and quality.