ELECTRODE SELECTION Lesson (6)(19)

Performance Objectives - All students will be asked to:

A. Identify 4 factors that influence electrode selection

B. Identify what type of information is coded into each digit's position, in the Electrode
Classification Code, as specified by the American Welding Society (AWS)

C. Use an AWS Electrode Classification System chart to identify the coded information
on a properly marked electrode

D. Identify Fast-Freeze, Fast-Fill, and Fill-Freeze electrode groups by operating

characteristics

A. Factors that influence electrode selection:

1. Base metal strength

2. Base metal composition

3. Base metal shape and thickness

4. Joint design and fit-up

5. Welding positions

6. Welding current/polarity available

7. Service conditions

8. Production efficiency

B. C. AWS Electrode Classification Code (See chart handout):

1. Prefix

2. Mechanical properties: tensile and yield in PSI

3. Welding positions

4. Usability: polarity, penetration, and coating

5. Suffix: chemical composition

D. Characteristics of Fast-Freeze, Fast-Fill, and Fill-Freeze

electrodes:

Fast-Freeze - (Exx10, Exx11) High penetration, light slag, low deposition; primarily
designed for open roots, dirty material, or thin material
1
 Fast-Fill - (Exx24, Exx27, Exx28) Shallow to medium penetration, heavy slag, high
deposition (flux contains iron powder), slow freeze, limited positions; primarily designed
for high production and material over 3/16”

Fill-Freeze (Fast-Follow) - (Exx12, Exx13, Exx14) Shallow to medium penetration,

medium deposition, all positions; designed as general purpose electrodes

Note: There is a forth group, Low Hydrogen, which will be discussed in detail in another
lesson

Reference:

Refer to: New Lessons in Arc Welding, 4th Edition, Pages 1-49 - 1-52 and Hobart Training
Workbook, SMAM Basic, Pages 34-36

Preview class:

Include why this information is valuable to the student Address the information in the
student handout In addition, explain the following:

How and why each factor influences electrode selection

( Performance Objective A.)

Do a practical exercise with the AWS Electrode Classification Code chart

(Performance Objectives B. and C.)

Summarize:

Quiz - Supply AWS Electrode Classification Code charts and E6013 electrodes

Answers to quiz: 1. e
2. b
3. e E6013
4. a.
5. b