SMAW Electrode

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 09-11-2017 19:20 Edited 09-11-2017 19:22

Hi Cody,

There are some factors involved here... But since you asked a very general question, I'll give a very general answer.

For DC+ power supplies E6010 cuts through contaminants best... Rust, mill scale, paint, oil, junk of any sort.

For AC power supplies E6011 is best.

Now if you have a code or specification to follow, specific contract documents, or a base metal other than plain carbon mild steel, you need to refine your question and the answers might change.

Edit:

It must be added that naturally; removing contaminants prior to welding is always preferred to welding over them... Great electrodes and great skill will not *always* overcome contaminants on base metal.

By 803056

Date 09-11-2017 19:54

Half ass cleaning equals half ass quality.

Oh, wait, don't want to step on any toes over at the Farm Code where "good enough" is King. Where "It only breaks once in a while." works.

Al

By FarmCode (*)

Date 09-14-2017 12:20

U R always so negative!

Just turn it up and burn it in man.

It's just some rust

By 803056

Date 09-14-2017 20:30

I like your style FarmCode.

All kidding aside, the quality of the preparation has a strong influence on the soundness of the weld. However, soundness doesn't necessarily mean the weld provides the mechanical properties expected. This especially true with base metals such as austenitic stainless steel that can be sensitized or aluminum that can be time at temperature sensitive. Granted, neither example has much to do with precleaning, but delayed cold cracking does.

I have first hand experience with HSLA steels cracking after the welds cooled and were inspected with both VT and MT only to crack later. The cracks were noticed as the steel was being loaded on the truck for shipment.

Al

By Cody Swanson Date 09-17-2017 02:42

Thank you. very helpful

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 09-11-2017 20:06

I agree with the others, cleaning will up your chances tremendously of placing a quality weld.

By 357max

Date 09-15-2017 19:05

Just a guess; would this happen to be oilfield production tubing and sucker rod? Which would be 4140 or 4150 chrome molybdenum steel. Then cleaning the weld area would be advised and weld all the way out with low hydrogen (E7015, 7016, 7018, 7048 or 8018 or 8045) electrodes.