Different Welding Rods: This Can Impact the Quality of Your Weld

During the welding process, the filler metal is added to the area still being welded by welding rods. It can also be used in some arc welding procedures as an electrode. The following article will explain the different welding rods and how they are used during welding. Let’s get started.

Different Types of Welding Rods

There are many types of welding rods, and they’re classified based on their materials. In general, welding rods are made from the same materials as base metals. An electrode holder holds them together and protects the welder from the electrical current present throughout the welding process. Some of them are as follows:

Steel Welding Rods

Welders are most likely to use these since most workpieces are made of steel. Meanwhile, ‘steel’ is a broad term that refers to various alloys. Matching your welding rod to your steel type can significantly impact the quality of your weld. There are several types of steel, but mild steel and stainless steel are the most common, but to create the perfect weld, you must match the percentage of the alloys’ components.

Welding rods made from stainless steel or mild steel are commonly used.

Bronze Welding Rods

When brazing is required to attach copper to other metals, these welding rods are employed. It can also be used to restore broken bronze items. There is also a use for bronze welding rods in brazing, a fusion process in which metal – in this case, bronze – whose melting point is lower than the neighboring metal is used to bridge the gap between workpieces.

Aluminum Welding Rods

As a result, aluminum welding rods may be used for pure aluminum and dissimilar aluminum alloys. Besides being used with TIG welding procedures, they are also used with MIG and arc welding equipment. Welding rods made of aluminum can be used for welding virtually any non-ferrous metal, but it is best to match the weld as closely as possible to the rod.

Composite Welding Rods

These are made up of two or more layers of material that, when combined, produce a stronger weld. Flux core welding rods, which are used in applications like this, have the flux on the center of the rod as opposed to the outer surface. It allows the flux to be used in a previously unimaginable way, preventing it from wearing off through handling or storage.

Below are some of the most widely used and most common welding rods.

6010

Using this electrode or rod, the metal can be penetrated deeply without much splatter or debris. The electrode is primarily used in heavy-duty applications, such as agricultural machinery and structural steel. The welder must be set to DC (direct current) when welding with this rod.

6013LV

A significantly lower penetration rate makes this electrode ideal for light materials such as sheet metal. It is also compatible with low-power hobby welders and may be used with AC or DC settings. It is not suitable for structural steel or heavy steel.

7018

It is the most common electrode used by welders today. It provides high-quality welding in mild steel applications and performs admirably in the field. This type of rod must be stored in a rod oven to decrease moisture when not in use. It cannot be welded while wet. DC welding rods like this are popular among beginners as well.

6011

Field pipe welders prefer the 6011 rods since it works well on unclean, rusted, or painted surfaces. Using it in the same way as a 6010 rod, it is a heavy-duty electrode. The 6010 penetrates deeply and has a low spatter, but it can run on either AC or DC machines.

7018AC

This rod is designed for AC welders despite having the same weld properties as 7018. Simple to use, it has an attractive arc from the beginning. Rods like this can also be welded in any direction.

How to Choose the Right Welding Rod

Incorrect welding rods may cause the weld to fail. Although the ideal rod may be used, it will still take talent to get a good weld despite the perfect rod being used. However, choosing the right welding rod is crucial to a successful welding project. The following steps will help you select the best rod for your project.

• Step 1

Determine the type of steel you are welding. In the case of standard iron, you will need a different rod from stainless steel and cast iron. It is necessary to use a specific rod for stainless steel.

• Step 2

You should measure the thickness of the metal you’re welding. This determines the diameter of the welding rod you employ. You should use welding rods whose diameter is half the thickness of the metal you are working with. Welding can be done with smaller rods but will require more than one pass.

• Step 3

Determine whether your arc welder uses AC or DC power. Whether for one, both, or neither, curtain rods are required. A DC rod penetrates deeper and is more difficult to start than an AC rod. With DC-specific rods, however, welding can be completed more quickly.

A Guide to Storing Welding Rods

You need to store your welding rods properly for future welding projects to keep them in good shape. Generally, you should keep them away from humidity as this might cause rust to form.

You’ll want to remove any moisture present in your welding rods if you need to recondition them – or if you’re about to start a large project and want to make sure it goes well. For this precaution, you will have to heat your rods more than 500°F for more than an hour (the temperature and duration of the heating will vary depending on the material).

Ensure you have the best environment to store welding rods before beginning a project that may require an expensive stock of welding rods that you may not be able to retain at their greatest value.

Conclusion

To determine which welding rod you will need, you should understand the available types. If you are unsure what rod to buy, ask a colleague or an expert for advice, or look for information in a manual. Welding plays an important role in manufacturing. Hopefully, this article will help you learn about different welding rods.