Welding electrode storage

[valero]

Can anyone point me in the direction of some information of welding electrode storage requirements? I am currently looking over a proposed procedure for filler metal identification, storage, and handling and need something to verify the data against. An example of the data being verified is the amount of time a low hydrogen electrode can be out of an oven prior to use, or the minimum oven temperature for a low hydrogen electrode after removed from original can.

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Go to

http://www.lincolnelectric.com

They have a lot of information available about their electrode's storage and handling. Probably pretty close to industry standards. Also try the American Welding Society (AWS).

 

[whyun]

Try AISC Seismic Appendix W6.2 and W6.3

My 1997 AISC Seismic does not have the appendix but try the 2002 AISC Seismic. The reference above is from a slide presentation in a recent welding seminar I attended.

 

[HgTX]

Different codes have different requirements for different applications. AWS D1.1 might be the most relevant, or something from ASME.

I don't have access to my AWS codes right now, but the TxDOT field welding requirements pretty much repeat the D1.5 requirements:

ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/des/specs/specbook.pdf
page 715

This is likely to be stricter than whatever code you're supposed to be working to.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines: faq731-376

 

[unclesyd]

The spec that covers this is ANSI/AWS A5.1 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding.

AWS D1.1 2002 Table 5.1 and Sections 5.3.2.2 and 5.3.2.3
A5.1
E70XX 4
E70XXR 9
E70XXHR 9
E7018M 9

A5.8
E70XX-X 4
E80XX-X 2
E90XX-X 1
E100XX-X 1/2
E110XX-X 1/2

These are Max hrs exposed to atmospheric conditions before a rebake is required. If no rebake, discard.

The above electrodes need to be held by the welder in quivers and not the their back pocket. You can use a portable rod box to minimize the number of exposed rods.

I'm trying to rcall my welding books so I can give you temperatures to hold and bake. The manufacturer's literature will also give you the information.

 

[metengr]

I would recommend you obtain the applicable AWS Specifications for Weld filler materials. For example, the bake temperature for carbon steel low hydrogen electrodes that have been exposed to moisture is 500-800 deg F for 1-2 hours. Refer to Table A.2 in SFA 5.1 for storage in air, holding ovens and for drying conditions.

 

[sayee1]

See link below for free download on storage and handling

http://www.esab.com/ESABHtml/pdf/Handling &Storage of Consumables(1).pdf

Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R CEng MWeldI MIOMMM


If it moves, train it...if it doesn't move, calibrate it...if it isn't written down, it never happened!

 

[MetalsInc]

Here is a word of caution - if you are in critical strength ranges (80ksi +) you should not trust the manufacturer to provide you with H4 electrodes. The levels can vary substantially and are unreliable. I would bake them before use.

AWS D1.1 is a standard that I investigated in a MSc program. The bake temperatures are roughly 375C-430C. Times about 1-2 hours. It varies depending on the electrode classification and strength.

If you store them I recommend that you store them at 200C. 120C is "code acceptable" but my experience was that hydrogen levels crept upwards. 200C held them flat. This was consistent across 3 manufacturers.

 

[Rich2001]

Here is faq on Electrode Storage
faq725-1114



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