We understand—sometimes you have a question and you need an answer.
We are here to help. Call us, email us, even visit our offices if you like. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide the industry’s best customer service, and we’d love the chance to demonstrate it.

An electrode is a conductor through which an electric current is passed. Found in variable forms, electrodes may be wires, plates, or rods. An electrode may be constructed of metal, such as copper, silver, lead, or zinc. However, an electrode may also be made of a nonmetal substance, such as carbon.

At SIPL all types of welding electrodes are manufactured; the most common are:
1. Mild Steel Welding Electrodes
2. Low Hydrogen Welding Electrodes
3. Cutting Welding Electrodes
4. Hard-facing Welding Electrodes

An electric arc is a continuous electric current passing from one solid electrical conductor, or electrode, to another through air or some other gas. The resistance offered by the air or gas in this gap to the passage of current creates high temperature, which is concentrated at and between the terminals, namely the work and the electrode tip. In the arc, the temperature attained can be between 3300 – 5500°C , which fuses metals.

Welding electrodes have numbers stamped on them to identify the type and characteristics of the electrode as specified by the American Welding Society (AWS). The AWS number gives the welder complete information about the welding rods.

Type of job: Every electrode has a certain current range within which it operates satisfactorily. On a light job where overheating must be avoided, current on the lower side should be used. For heavy work the maximum current within the range is to be used. Current in the mid-range is to be used for normal work.
Electrode Size: Welding current increases with electrode size and coating thickness. Too low a current gives an unstable arc and results in lack of fusion in the welded joint. Too high a current overheats the electrode, increases spatter and results in weld metal porosity. Currents recommended by the electrode manufacturer must be used.

This is a popular welding electrode in most countries and is described as a general-purpose mild steel electrode. The slag formed during welding using a Rutile electrode is viscous and quick freezing, which renders the electrode particularly suitable for welding in the vertical and overhead positions.

A low-hydrogen electrode has a covering of high content of Calcium Carbonate (in the form of limestone, calcite or marble) and Calcium Fluoride (in the form of Flourspar). Therefore, gaseous atmosphere formed around the arc consists of CO, CO2 and F compounds. The basic slag formed is fairly fluid that results in efficient transfer of the alloying elements from the coating to the weld deposit. The hydrogen controlled mild steel electrodes and low-alloy high tensile electrodes are generally made with this type of coating in order to minimize the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking or cold cracking in the base metal. The popular Basic coated electrodes use potassium as binders for use in both DC and AC.