52 Welding Technology and Design

produced. Mechanical properties and weld soundness are similar to iron

acid electrodes.
(f) Oxidising electrodes : A thick covering based on iron oxide and possible
manganese oxide without deoxidants produces an oxidising slag which
gives a weld deposit with very low carbon and manganese contents and
low strength. Penetration is low and molten weld metal fluid, restricting
use to horizontal/vertical or flat fillet welds. The slag is heavy, compact
and self detaching and gives excellent weld appearance.
(g) Basic electrodes : These electrodes have thick coverings containing considerable
amount of basic carbonates (generally calcium or magnesium) and calcium
fluoride, which give CO2 gas shielding and an active basic or semi-basic
slag. Deoxidation is generally effected by ferro-silicon and ferro manganese.
The deposited weld metal is low in oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, retains
alloying additions and has excellent mechanical properties, particularly
ductility and toughness. A medium quantity of dense slag forms on the
weld giving a reasonably good appearance. Slag inclusions are rare.
The coatings are often hydroscopic and must be stored under warm dry
conditions to prevent moisture. Otherwise hydrogen in the weld metal can
lead to porosity, fissuring and underbead cracking in susceptible steels.
Moisture content should not exceed 0.6 per cent.
The high ductility and low hydrogen content of the weld deposits lead to
excellent resistance to hot and cold cracking and basic electrodes are
particularly suitable for welding heavy or highly restrained structures.
(h) Iron powder electrodes : Iron powder can be added to all types of electrode
coverings; so it is not strictly a single type.
The main advantages of the addition of iron powder are :
* it allows nearly twice the deposition rate;
* the iron powder is recovered in the weld deposit so that a specified
electrode length will give a longer arcing time and a large bead.
Iron powder also reduces the operating voltage; this can be an advantage,
and for example, it allows cellulosic electrodes to be used with alternating
current; however, 50 per cent iron powder in the coating reduces operation.
Iron powder also increases slag fluidity which leads to manipulation
difficulties for positional welding. However, electrode coverings are often
slightly conducting and this allows ‘touch’ welding in the flat position. To
get high deposition rates, particularly at the lower operating voltages. these
electrodes use high current which can lead to a decrease in weld metal
ductility. Ductility improves after a post weld tempering or stress relieving
heat treatment.
A recent development has been the introduction of low hydrogen rutile
iron powder electrodes which offer an electrode that is easy to use in the
flat position and gives a low hydrogen content in the weld deposit. There is
some indication that certain of these electrodes can give porosity in
positional welds and require a high level of operator skill for position
welding.