Welding Process

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

2. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
3. Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
4. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
5. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)

Function of Electrode Covering (Flux)

1. Provide Shielding against atmosphere contaminants.
2. Provide alloy elements (i.e, ingredients) to enhance or strengthen the weld
3. Provide arc stability
4. Act as a deoxidizer
5. Provide a layer of slag (i.e, blanket to slow down cooling

Electrode classification (identification)

E XX X X
E= Electrode
First two ….. XX = tensile strength of weld metal in ksi or N/mm2 (psi/ 145 to N/mm2)
Third…… X = Welding position
Fourth…. X = Coating composition
E7018 70 ksi >>> 70 000 psi (480 N/mm2)

Welding position
1 – All position [flat, horizontal, vertical (uphill), overhead ]
2 – Flat & horizontal (fillet weld)
3- Not in use
4 – Vertical (downhill)

S.No. Welding Position Description

1 EXX1X FLAT, HORZONTAL, VERTICAL (UPHILL), OVERHEAD

2 EXX2X FLAT & HORIZONTAL (FILLET WELD)

3 EXX4X VERTICAL (DOWNHILL)

Flat Position (1F and 1G)
Horizontal Position (2F and 2G)
Vertical Position (3F and 3G)
Overhead Position (4F and 4G)

Coating Composition
1. 2/3/4 Rutile Electrode (titania)
2. Produce shallow penetration
3. Suitable sheet metal work
4. Weld-low toughness
 1. 0/1 cellulose electrode (cellulose sodium/potassium)
2. Produce deep penetration
3. Suitable for root pass
4. Not suitable for high carbon steel/ high tensile steel
5. Electrode contain higher amount of moisture (H2O)

1. 5/6/8 Basic electrode (Contain CaCO3 lime)

2. Weld-produce high toughness
3. Electrode contain low moisture (H2O)
4. Suitable for high carbon steel, high strength steel, low alloy steel thick metal (>19 mm)
5. Electrode is also known as low hydrogen electrode

E7018 stick Electrode

The tensile strength of the resulted weld = 70 000 psi. “1” mean the electrode can be used in all position
(flat, horizontal, vertical (uphill) and overhead). “8” refers to the flux covering of the electrode and “8”tell
that it is a low hydrogen flux.

Digit Type of Coating Welding Current

0 High cellulose sodium DC+
1 High cellulose potassium AC, DC+ or DC-
2 High titania sodium AC, DC-
3 High titania potassium AC, DC+
4 Iron powder, titania AC, DC+ or DC-
5 Low hydrogen sodium DC+
6 Low hydrogen potassium AC, DC+
7 High iron oxide, potassium powder AC, DC+ or DC-
8 Low hydrogen potassium, iron powder AC, DC+ or DC