OPERATION
Manual metal arc ( stick) electrodes have a solid metal wire core and a flux coating. These
electrodes are identified by the wire diameter and by a series of letters and numbers. The
letters and numbers identify the metal alloy and the intended use of the electrode.
The Metal Wire Core works as conductor of the current that maintains the arc. The core
wire melts and is deposited into the welding pool.
The covering on a shielded metal arc welding electrode is called Flux.
The flux on the electrode performs many diferent functions.
These include:
● producing a protective gas around the weld area
● providing fluxing elements and deoxidizer
● creating a protective slag coating over the weld as it cools
● establishing arc characteristics
● adding alloying elements.
Covered electrodes serve many purposes in addition to filler metal tothe molten pool.
These
additional functions are provided mainly by the covering on the electrode.
§4.1.3 MMA Welding Fundamentals
Electrode Selection
As a general rule, the selection of an electrode is straight forward,in that it is only a matter
of selecting an electrode of similar composition to the parent metal. However, for some
metals there is a choice of several electrodes, each of which has particular properties to suit
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