What flux coatings are available in Stainless Steel SMAW/MMA electodes?

[shaafishaikh]

Hello all,

It is common knowledge that SMAW/MMA electrodes for carbon/low-alloy steels are available in a variety of flux coating options - rutiles, cellulosic, basic, and iron powder being the most common. The electrodes differ in their Hydrogen content, which is significant in controlling Hydrogen Induced Cracking.

Is there any such significance of flux coating in Stainless Steels?
What flux coating options are available?

Does hydrogen cracking affect Stainless Steels as well?

A quick google searhc hasnt given me any answers so Im turning to you guys.

By Stainless Steels I mean austenitic SS, specifically 316 and 317 grades.

Thanks,
Shaafi

 

[gtaw]

There are two types of flux coverings in general use. One is a limestone based flux covering much like that used for carbon and low alloy steels. The second is titania based flux coverings. The titania can have additional silicon added to increase the fluidity of the weld pool.

EXXX-15 limestone flux covering
EXXX-16 titania flux covering
EXXX-17 titania with increased silicon



Best regards - Al

 

[shaafishaikh]

Thank you for your reply gtaw.
Any literature in the subject you could point me to?

 

[gtaw]

You can look at AWS A5.4 Specification for Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding and manufacturer's literature from Lincoln Electric or ESAB or Avesta. I'm sure other manufactures have their literature available on-line just as the ones I've listed do.

Best regards - Al

 

[weldstan]

The -15 coatings provide superior low temperature (-320 F) toughness properites in the deposited weld metal.

 

[Duwe6]

And the -15's weld like sh. . . real nasty. The -16 & -17 rods are MUCH easier to work with and will give less rework/repairs in the "Real World". But if you need liquid nitrogen temperatures, use GTAW, or tell your welders to 'bite the bullet' and use the -15 stuff. They will *require* leather welding jackets, the spatter from -15's is copious and large. Those molten droplets of stainless will burn thru FRC's, go thru Nomex like it was cheesecloth, and burn thru cloth welding jackets. Also makes divots in leather welding jackets, but no burn-thru.