What do welding electrode codes mean? A simple breakdown of markings.
How to Decode the Name of a Welding Electrode
Welding electrodes are as essential a material on a construction site as concrete or stone. An electrode is indispensable even in household work, since joining metal by welding is a fast, efficient, and inexpensive way to create a structure.
Welding wire is used as the raw material in electrode manufacturing. As early as 1911, Oscar Kjellberg patented his invention — a coating for electrodes; a little later, in 1928, coated welding electrodes began to be produced on an industrial scale. From that year onward, all welding electrodes were divided into two types: electrodes treated with a special layer of various materials, and uncovered electrodes.
Different types of construction work require welding electrodes that are specially produced:
- for cutting metal;
- for welding carbon steels;
- for welding alloys containing nickel;
- for welding non-ferrous metals, as well as for surfacing (overlaying) copper;
- for surfacing and welding cast iron;
- for overlaying onto a workpiece surface;
- for welding heat-resistant and alloy steels;
- for welding dissimilar and highly alloyed steels.
In addition, widely used are welding electrodes created:
- for welding corrosion-resistant and highly alloyed steels;
- for welding heat-resistant, highly alloyed steels;
- for welding high-strength steels;
- for welding main gas and oil pipelines.
To decode the model designation, you should know that welding electrodes are marked in accordance with national standards (GOST).
GOST 9466-75 — indicates a coated metallic electrode intended for surfacing (overlay) as well as arc welding of steel.
GOST 9467-75 — a coated metallic electrode used for joining structural steel.
GOST 10051-75 — a coated metallic electrode designed for surfacing layers.
GOST 10052-75 — a coated metallic electrode intended for welding steels with specific properties (including high-alloy steels).
Each digit also has its own meaning:
- 1 – type of electrode;
- 2 – its grade;
- 3 – electrode diameter in millimeters;
- 4 – type of electrode application;
- 5 – coating thickness;
- 6 – indices indicating the weld characteristic and direction according to GOST;
- 7 – type of coating;
- 8 – permissible position for surfacing or welding;
- 9 – current polarity, type, and voltage.
These parameters characterize the features of specific electrodes, help ensure correct use of welding materials, and increase safety when working with various metals.