Welding rod

1. Precautions

(1) When storing welding rods, ensure the storage room is well-ventilated and dry, with relative humidity controlled below 60%. Keep a distance of 30cm from the ground and walls when stacking.

(2) Store by distinguishing model and specifications; do not mix them.

(3) During handling and stacking, be careful not to damage the flux coating. For welding rods with weaker flux strength, such as stainless steel rods, overlay rods, and cast iron rods, extra caution is needed. Do not stack welding rods too high.

2. Effects of Moisture on Welding Rods

When welding rods absorb moisture, the flux coating generally darkens, the rods lose their crisp metallic sound upon collision, and some may even show efflorescence.

Effects of moist welding rods on welding processes:

(1) Unstable arc, increased spatter, and larger particles.

(2) Greater penetration depth, prone to edge burn-through.

(3) Poor slag coverage, rough weld bead.

(4) Difficult slag removal.

Effects of moist welding rods on welding quality:

(1) Prone to welding cracks and porosity, especially with basic welding rods.

(2) Mechanical properties may be significantly lower.

3. Drying Welding Rods

(1) If welding rods have been stored for too long and have absorbed moisture but the core has not rusted and the flux coating has not deteriorated, drying the rods can maintain their original performance without affecting usability.

(2) The baking temperature should not be too high or too low. If the temperature is too low, moisture will not be removed; if too high, it may cause the flux coating to crack, become brittle, peel off, or change in composition, affecting welding quality.

(3) After drying, basic welding rods should not be exposed outdoors for more than 4 hours.

(4) The number of times welding rods are dried should not be excessive; otherwise, it may lead to peeling of the flux coating.

4. Scrapping Welding Rods

If the core is rusted, the flux coating is stuck or peeling off, or if they are severely damp (especially low-hydrogen rods, heat-resistant steel rods, low-temperature steel rods), these welding rods should no longer be used and should be scrapped.

Two

Welding wire

1. Precautions

(1) Welding wires should be stored in a dedicated welding material warehouse. Ensure the storage room is well-ventilated and dry, with relative humidity controlled below 60%. Keep a distance of 30cm from the ground and walls when stacking.

(2) Store by distinguishing model and specifications; do not mix them.

(3) During handling, avoid throwing or placing them carelessly to prevent packaging damage. Once packaging is damaged, it may cause the wire to absorb moisture and rust.

(4) For barrel-packaged welding wire, do not roll during transport; containers should not be laid down or tilted to avoid tangling of wires inside the barrel that could hinder use.

(5) Do not stack welding wires too high.

(6) Generally speaking, flux-cored wires do not need drying; they should be used up quickly after opening. If there are unused wires that need to stay overnight in a wire feeder, cover the feeder (or wire spool) with canvas, plastic sheeting or other materials to reduce contact with moisture in the air.

(7) The CO2 used for flux-cored wires should be pure and free of moisture.

2. Effects of Moisture on Welding Wire

Moisture-absorbed welding wire can increase the hydrogen content in the deposited metal, leading to defects such as pits and porosity. This can deteriorate both the welding process performance and mechanical properties of the weld metal; in severe cases, it can lead to weld cracking.

Three

Flux for Submerged Arc Welding

1. Flux is generally packaged in bags and should be transported properly to prevent packaging damage;

2. Flux should be stored in a dry room to prevent moisture from affecting welding quality; room temperature should be between 5-50°C and should not be placed in high-temperature or high-humidity environments.

3. Before use, flux should be baked according to the parameters specified in the instructions. During baking, spread the flux evenly in a tray with a thickness not exceeding 50mm.