Marking and Packaging of Welding Filler Metals

Just like we make sure that the food we purchase from a grocery store is fresh by checking the details on the package, so is the case with the filler metals that are used for any kind of welding procedures. Similar to the food stuff that have packing and seal to keep them safe from any kind of tampering and getting spoiled, so it should be with filler metals as well, so as to keep them safe and clean.

A lot of changes can happen in filler metals from the time of its manufacture to the time we use it. There are chances of the filler metals getting damaged or spoilt if it is not properly packaged and protected as its quality depends to a large extent this. Inexpensive and low quality filler metals, in most cases, will have no moisture barrier and barely any or even no packaging at all. Quality and standard filler metals have excellent protection and packaging for both moisture protection and damage protection.

Very often we come across damaged filler metal, damaged wire or flux when a new container is opened just because the filler metal was not handled carefully. Filler metals should be handled very delicately – like you would handle eggs! The shielded metal arc welding electrodes having flux outside are especially prone to damage when tossed around carelessly or handled roughly.

The impairment on the exterior of the flux can make a useless a whole lot of electrodes. In some cases, the cardboard packaging that is around the circumference will help to resist or pad any kind of ruin of the flux. Some are available in metal cans that protect the electrodes or rods from denting and other damages. When a spool of wire is dropped,

it will lose its shape or will get the separate the layers of wire mixed up and tangled causing issues in the feeder which will give rise to erratic welding arcs and other issues. Another bitter enemy of certain kinds of filler metals is moisture. When steel filler wires come in touch with moisture or water, they can form rust and such other deposits on the top of the filler metal. Flux core arc welding wires and rusty spools of MIG welding can create a lot of issues to the gun liners, wire feeders and contact tips.

Any moisture present will make the flux on the shielded metal arc welding electrodes to disintegrate and fall away and even create issues both in and all around the weld. Some of the serious issues that occur due to the presence of moisture are porosity and hydrogen under bead cracking. Electrodes with low hydrogen like the 7018 are meant to be kept in dry Rod ovens to avoid these issues with the shielded metal arc welding electrodes.

It should be remembered that quality filler metals and electrodes must be sealed both to make it airtight and watertight so that there is absolutely no chance for moisture to get in. The packaging should clearly mention the kind of metal, the AWS classification & specification and such other trade details and identifications. In case of stick electrodes, each of the sticks must be clearly marked with the electrode number and in case they are cut lengths of filler metal, then each of the rods must be marked, stamped, laser engraved or flagged. Rods should never be removed from its container unless we need them for immediate use. I

n case we remove them, keep them back immediately or they may end up in the wrong container. Where a spool of wire is concerned, remember to clearly label each spool. Always keep in mind that the quality of your weld will depend on the filler wire you use. With a quality wire, you can do away with liquidate many issues and remember, in order to get the maximum benefit in the long run, store it in the proper way.

Refer to the Longevity website (www. Longevity.inc.com) or check out the YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/longevitywelding) for more information and details about the different equipments used for the many welding and cutting procedures. Longevity has all the right machines for your exact application, so do check out and choose what best fits for your product, materials, and requirements.