welding

In technical terms, welding rods are commonly known as filler metals. A welding rod is a metal that is used in the process of welding to fill a joint that has to be fixed. The process of welding is typically done by melting the work pieces and adding a filler material, which is often a welding rod, to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint.

Welding rods are also known as welding electrodes. They usually come in four types, which include covered welding rods used in metal arc welding. The welding rod coating mainly contains compounds such as rutile, calcium fluoride, cellulose, and iron powder. Rutile-coated rods give a good appearance to the weld and produce a good quality weld. Even stainless steel rods or electrodes are used extensively to weld steel work pieces with carbon steel work pieces.

On the other hand, bare welding electrode are used in gas metal arc work. These electrodes contain various deoxidizing metals such as silicon, manganese, titanium, and aluminum, which help in preventing oxygen porosity. In addition, they also contain denitriding metals such as titanium and zirconium to avoid nitrogen porosity. These rods are typically available in diameters ranging from 0.7 mm to 2.4 mm. However, the diameter is greatly determined by the type of metal and the application. These welding rods for sale are also used for gas tungsten arc welding.

Tubular welding rods, which are in a wired form, are used in flux-cored arc welding. These rods contain the alloys of mild and low alloy steel, stainless steel, and high nickel. Some are even made from wear-facing or surfacing alloys.

Welding fluxes are used in the process of submerged arc welding, where the process requires continuous supply of solid and tubular welding rods.

Furthermore, welding rods or electrodes can also be divided as "fast-fill" electrodes. These are designed and characterized to melt quickly, whereas the "fast freeze" welding rods are designed to solidify quickly. The intermediate electrodes are categorized as "fill-freeze" or "fast-follow" electrodes.

Using the proper welding rod is very crucial in the welding process as it is the chief factor that determines the nature of the joint.