By 803056
Date 12-06-2011 15:14
Edited 12-06-2011 20:56
Stainless electrodes for SMAW have several types of flux coverings. The EXXX-15 type uses a limestone flux covering as does E70X8 electrodes. They should be stored in the same environment as the typical low hydrogen electrodes, i.e., 250 degrees F.
The other type of electrodes should be stored in the same manner if you are working to AWS D1.6.
As for keeping low hydrogen electrodes at 150 degrees F, that isn't hot enough based on my readings. 250 degrees F is the minimum per AWS and various military standards and even that isn't hot enough to ensure the lowest possible hydrogen content. The limestone base fluxes can be baked at much higher temperatures, 500 to 700 degrees F for critical work where the potential for introducing diffusible hydrogen must be minimized.
Best regards - Al
I'm glad Al responded first to this. He probably was wondering the same things I am though, like:
1) Scrappy, I hope there is either a typo or I am just misunderstanding your post; "Neither" needs an oven??
2) Surely,Tommy, you are 'JOKING' when you say you keep your low hydrogen electrodes at 150*?
D1.1 and manufacturer MINIMUMS are 250*. And as Al stated they often need more. And, especially after some info learned at FABTECH in some of the Professional Presentations on some current research being done, I don't understand how we can trust the minimums to do the job. Especially the way so many try to fudge the electrode storage, pre-heat temps, and proper welding procedures. If we truly have the public interest and their safety in mind we would go beyond, not below, the minimums. Some of this research is easily confirmed from the very easily documented fact that the Seismic Codes, Bridge Codes and others have higher pre-heat and storage temps than D1.1. It is more critical than many give it credit to be.
Please practice at least the minimum storage requirements.
Have a Great Day, Brent