Welding Rods

In technical terms, welding rods are commonly knownavailable in diameters ranging from 0.7 mm to 2.4 mm.
as filler metals. A welding rod is a metal that is usedHowever, the diameter is greatly determined by the
in the process of welding to fill a joint that has to betype of metal and the application. These welding
fixed. The process of welding is typically done byelectrodes are also used for gas tungsten arc
melting the work pieces and adding a filler material,welding.
which is often a welding rod, to form a pool ofTubular welding rods, which are in a wired form, are
molten material that cools to become a strong joint.used in flux-cored arc welding. These rods contain
Welding rods are also known as electrodes. Theythe alloys of mild and low alloy steel, stainless steel,
usually come in four types, which include coveredand high nickel. Some are even made from
welding rods used in metal arc welding. The weldingwear-facing or surfacing alloys.
rod coating mainly contains compounds such as rutile,Welding fluxes are used in the process of submerged
calcium fluoride, cellulose, and iron powder.arc welding, where the process requires continuous
Rutile-coated rods give a good appearance to thesupply of solid and tubular welding rods.
weld and produce a good quality weld. Even stainlessFurthermore, welding rods or electrodes can also be
steel rods or electrodes are used extensively to welddivided as "fast-fill" electrodes. These are designed
steel work pieces with carbon steel work pieces.and characterized to melt quickly, whereas the "fast
On the other hand, bare welding electrodes are usedfreeze" welding rods are designed to solidify quickly.
in gas metal arc work. These electrodes containThe intermediate electrodes are categorized as
various deoxidizing metals such as silicon, manganese,"fill-freeze" or "fast-follow" electrodes.
titanium, and aluminum, which help in preventingUsing the proper welding rod is very crucial in the
oxygen porosity. In addition, they also containwelding process as it is the chief factor that
denitriding metals such as titanium and zirconium todetermines the nature of the joint.
avoid nitrogen porosity. These rods are typically