1. "Welding Consumables" seems to be things like rods, wire, strip cladding strips and alloys. What about electrodes? On some websites I've seen them as consumables, and on others not. Also, anti-spatter compounds...I would assume that's a consumable?

RESPONSE: Yes, but probably a related consumable, in the welding world, we tend to think of "consumables" as welding rod, wire, strips, etc., as you mention above. I would make a separate category such as "Supporting Products"

2. Is it accurate to say that all welding gases are oxyfuel gases?

RESPONSE: NO!!!! There are an entire myriad of gases; Argon, CO2, mixtures of Argon and Co2, helium, CO2+Oxygen, etc., etc., there are perhaps hundreds of differnt gases to support welding. The oxyfuels are used primarily for cutting nowdays but for the most part gases I mentioned are gases that shield the molten weld metal from the atmosphere. Try looking up "Airgas" and "Linde Gas" on the web, they should have some pretty decent info and I'm sure others will suggest even more.

3. Here's something basic...flux. Is flux considered a type of welding wire, or is it a thing all by itself?

RESPONSE: Thing by itself, although many welding wire (electrodes) are coated with flux but flux, just like gases, come in hundreds of different varieties and for different purposes. You may consider including that in the "Consumables" category.

Good luck, I'm sure many others will also respond! P/S: You may also consider making your posting in the "Technical" Forum.

Each sort of device has consumables that support it. In catalogs they tend to be listed as subsets to the device. Thus under MIG welders you will often find MIG consumables which include things like contact tips, gas difusers, insulators etc. Parts that have a relatively short service life. In a similar way there are plasma cutting consumables, TIG consumables etc. Wire, stick electrodes etc although certainly consumable tend to get a seperate heading.

I think you have been given an impossible task. I'm sure this subject is capable of generating arguments that go on far into the night. If I were you I would ask the exhibitors what catagories they wished to be listed under and put them there.

I wish you luck untying this gordian knot.

Bill