15 best welding electrodes

Welding electrodes are an indispensable consumable material used during welding operations. Its essence lies in the introduction of additional (electrode) metal in a welded bath formed during the melting of the base metal in the weld zone. The result of this action will be an one-piece connection, capable of perceiving various kinds of loads, providing rigidity or tightness (in the case of pipe welding) of the structure.

Simple in words, in fact, this process requires considerable preparation, including in terms of the selection of electrodes. It is not enough to choose a melting element with a metal whose properties are as close as possible to the main one. The market is gradually filled with a competing product, so making the right choice in such an environment often fails even among professionals, not to mention novice users. After examining consumer and expert reviews, we have prepared for you a rating of the best welding electrodes, divided into four main categories.

Top welding electrodes with basic coating

Electrodes with the main coating are used quite often, since they do not impose strict restrictions on welding. Weldable parts can be oriented in space at any angle - the electrode works in all spatial positions. In addition, not only thin metal products can be subjected to the process of making permanent connections — thick metal sheets and thick-walled structures are also subject to welding with the main electrode. The only condition: these processes must take place at a constant current of reverse polarity.

5 KEDR E 308L-16 / OZL-8 (350 x 3.2 mm; 2 kg)

The main electrode intended for welding heavily loaded parts and products from high-alloyed alloys with a high degree of resistance to the appearance of corrosion. According to a well-established tradition (and in contrast to FILARC electrodes from ESAB), they are used when operating at direct current of reverse polarity, which, in general, is not a surprise for experienced users.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, “KEDR” E 308L-16 / OZL-8 is characterized as very convenient electrodes for welding structures in any spatial positions (except from top to bottom when the seam is vertical). They are moderately expensive, very high quality and extremely rarely subjected to fraud. True, by the will of the features of such a responsible business, they could not avoid one small nuance: before use, calcining is required with a temperature of 300-350 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes.

4 ESAB FILARC 88S (350 x 2.5 mm; 7.2 kg)

Another ESAB representative, whose characteristics are very close to the well-known Pipeweld 8016 electrodes, was not ignored. According to the manufacturer, this consumable has a 100% recovery rate, although in reality it is hard to believe. However, this nuance can not be counted among the shortcomings - judging by the feedback from experienced users, the electrode shows itself from an exceptionally good side.

It is known for certain that the toughness of a weld with an impurity metal from ESAB FILARC 88S has excellent conditions up to a temperature of -60 degrees Celsius. In this regard, these basic electrodes can be used for welding of structures operating in low temperature conditions, as well as in coastal zones, where high humidity and small hydraulics prevail. Yes, their use is not cheap, but high quality in our time is quite expensive.

3 QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374 (350 x 2.5 mm; 0.9 kg)

Direct analogue of the OZL-8 type electrodes, which got into the rating due to the optimum mechanical parameters of the weld after surfacing. With the observance of the prescribed technology throughout the arc welding provides up to 41% relative elongation, 400 MPa yield strength and up to 160 J / cm² impact strength, measured at temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius. It is used mainly for welding corrosion-resistant steels in all spatial positions.

Providing higher mechanical properties, QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374 does not solve the problem of cost of funds. From a technical point of view, the use of these electrodes is justified only in the case of welding of critical structures, which hundreds of users constantly talk about. In other cases, where it is more convenient to buy cheaper OZL-kami, leaving this applicant to better times.

2 KOBELCO LB-52U (350 x 3.2 mm; 5 kg)

Electrodes of the Japanese company Kobelco, intended for welding of pipes from metals of strength class up to K55 and from K55 to K60 inclusive. With proper skill, the welder leaves an even seam or neat bead, without splashing and maintaining a short arc throughout the welding process. Subject to compliance with all measures to protect the seam from access of air and other contaminating elements, it presents the structure with good toughness in the area of ​​the permanent joint, providing excellent resistance to cracking and deeper penetration of the base metal.

Judging by user feedback, KOBELCO LB-52U is a unique combination of low cost and acceptable quality. Yes, one cannot get around from preliminary calcination before use: the same modes of 300-350 degrees Celsius will have to withstand for 30-60 minutes. But working with them is a pleasure.

1 ESAB UONI 13/55 (350 x 3.0 mm; 4.5 kg)

Say what you like, and the low cost of consumables is able to solve any issue in its favor. ESAB UONI 13/55 - a hit of sales for the responsible welding works demanding use of electrodes with the main covering. However, with a small caveat: carbon and low alloy steels can be subjected to welding. It’s no joke, but from the point of view of the yield point, this sample leaves out of business a much more expensive challenger in the person of QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374, though only 20 units - 420 versus 400 MPa. But the relative elongation here is two times less, and is only 22%. This is not bad, but any stretching loads will be perceived somewhat worse. However, it doesn’t bother consumers at all - the cost of electrodes justifies any imperfection.In addition, there is another good reason to give preference to these electrodes: because of the price, no one falsifies them.

Top rutile-coated welding electrodes

Rutile electrodes gained great popularity among welders due to a combination of useful characteristics. They have a lightweight ignition, have high resistance to moisture, and can also be used in direct and alternating current. Among their shortcomings can be attributed to the impossibility of welding structures made of high carbon steel, a direct dependence of the quality of the seam from welding modes, as well as the need for careful preparatory operations (such as drying and calcining the surface).

5 ELITECH MR-3C (350 x 3 mm; 5 kg)

Rutile electrode for manual arc welding, designed to produce permanent joints of metals with a thickness of 3 to 20 millimeters. Well cooks carbon and low-alloy steels, forming a reliable weld with temporary resistance in the region of 440 MPa.

According to consumers, ELITECH MR-3C is very picky about storage conditions: small deviations in humidity or room temperature can cause damage to the coating. For the rest, nothing new is introduced into the class; these electrodes do not introduce: you can cook in any spatial position, on alternating and direct currents. The main advantage of the sample concerns the cost parameter: for relatively little money, the consumer gets a good expendable material, the use of which is characterized by small losses due to waste and splashing.

4 Inforce MP-3 11-05-01 (450 x 5 mm; 5 kg)

Rutile electrode used for welding critical structures using manual arc welding. It has quite high strength parameters (450 MPa tearing resistance) with strict adherence to welding modes, as well as impact strength (80 J / cm²) and relative elongation (20%). It supports welding at direct and alternating current, but in the latter case requires the use of power sources with open circuit voltage.

From the point of view of rational costs, it is possible to use such electrodes, even despite large losses due to splashing and waste. According to the manufacturers, an average of 1.7 kilograms of electrodes is produced per kilogram of the deposited metal. Such statistics cannot please perfectionists, however, we hasten to please you: the amount of losses can be reduced due to personal professionalism.

3 Resanta MP-3S (350 x 3 mm; 3 kg)

Resanta products for the MP-3C brand are not very different from those of Elitech, but it shows much better results in terms of cost per kilogram. Objectively - these are the cheapest consumables for welding in this segment, but their performance can be compared with recognized leaders. Thus, the seam welded with the observance of technology and given modes is able to show up to 450 MPa of tear resistance.

But in the field of mechanical properties of Resant MP-3C, you can find a small drawback. It consists in a low rate of relative elongation, equal to only 18%. Therefore, before using these electrodes, one should think about the loads at which one or another structure will be operated. But, as users say, even if they are not needed at the moment, the loss of funds will be imperceptible.

2 Quattro Elementi 772-166 (300 x 2.0 mm; 3 kg)

Italian rutile electrodes, which are in demand in mechanical engineering and construction, the main difference from the competitors of which is the use of low-alloyed and low-carbon steels for welding low-carbon steels using the MMA method.Due to the unique composition, they provide the highest quality seam, without pores, even in the case of welding of rough untreated surfaces (with traces of scale and rust).

Favorably stands out against the background of other electrodes due to high mechanical parameters. Thus, the temporary resistance of the weld (subject to the recommendations on cutting and stripping) is 480 MPa, and the impact strength at negative temperatures is 110 J / cm². As is the case with most competitors, the electrode consumption per kilogram of weld metal is 1.7 kilograms, which goes into waste and splashing. Despite this, they are used quite often: after all, quality always plays in favor of popularity.

1 ESAB OK 46.30 (450 x 5.0 mm; 18.9 kg)

Quite expensive rutile electrodes suitable for welding critical structures, pipes and all kinds of plates with a thickness of up to 30 millimeters. Unlike all competitors, they are all-positional, that is, metal surfacing can be made even in the vertical direction from top to bottom. According to data from the consumer, with proper welding, it gives a perfectly even seam: smooth, without a hint of convexity exceeding or other defects. Users, for the most part, confirm this feature of ESAB OK 46.30, noting only that it is important not to be mistaken with the welding modes.

As for the cost, these electrodes are not the most expensive in the class: the cost of a kilogram in modern realities barely reaches 250 rubles. However, there is one more positive nuance: the consumption of electrodes for surfacing of the same kilogram is slightly more than 1.3 kilograms. In comparison with competitors, this result looks very good.

Top Cellulose Welding Electrodes

Cellulose electrodes are used only for manual arc welding. Differ in low resistance to overheating, but excellent protection of the welding zone from the effects of air by creating a "gas plateau". It works in all positions and with any type of current (alternating or constant), due to which it is widely used in welding.

3 "Monolith" RC ANO-36 (4 mm; 5 kg)

"Monolith" RC ANO-36 is not purely cellulose (the coating is complemented by rutile components), and therefore it is used both for joining simple structures and for welding important products. These electrodes provide deep penetration of metals from 3 to 20 millimeters thick, forming a smooth, non-defective seam. They can bend freely without damaging the dusting, so that they can even be brought to hard-to-reach places.

According to professional welders, Monolith RC ANO-36 is a very “convenient” brand of electrodes, since they do not require preliminary calcination and special preparation of joints for welding. And in the case of wetting, they manifest themselves to be extremely healthy: all that is required of the user is to warm up the electrodes for at least half an hour at a constant temperature in the range of 100-120 degrees Celsius.

2 SpetsElektrod MR-3S (450 x 4 mm; 5 kg)

One of the few representatives of cellulosic electrodes that can be welded on unprepared low-alloyed or carbon steel (with traces of moisture, small contaminants and oxides), whose resistance limit is 450 MPa. Effectively cooks in any spatial position and when powered by a current of any polarity (both variable from the inverter and constant). Provides a fairly high toughness value (130 J / cm²), and also relative lengthening (25%). The more prosaic against this background is the value of the yield strength of 390 MPa. In principle, this is enough for a seam to work, but in comparison with competitors it is not enough. The main advantage of "SpetsElektrod" MR-3C, according to users, is the notorious level of cost, which is advantageously combined with the quality of the weld.

1 ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus (350 x 4.0 mm; 20 kg)

Another representative of the Swedish company ESAB, characterized by a tendency, atypical for cellulosic electrodes, to preserve properties during short-term overheating. Intended mainly for manual arc welding of pipes, carbon and low alloy steels. It has a low elongation in the seam zone (28%) and a rather high strength (450 MPa).

In general, with the exception of cellulose coating, ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus does not have any striking differences from a number of basic or rutile versions of electrodes. With the exception, perhaps, of one fact: the welding process requires complete stripping of the metal from oxides, pollution and moisture — only in this case can we achieve acceptable results in terms of the reliability of the structures. The cost, as usual, is quite high, but if you need high quality seam, these samples should be considered as prevailing.

The best acid welding electrodes

Electrodes with an acidic coating are much less popular than all the others, but they carry a few very important advantages. Like cellulose electrodes, they can work in all positions and in any kind of current. Among other things, they are characterized by a small formation of pores in the weld, which is typical when welding with an elongated arc or forcing modes. Not applicable in case of high carbon and / or sulfur content in the metal.

2 ESAB OK 61.20 (30 x 2.5 mm; 4.2 kg)

A special “grade” of acidic electrodes intended for welding of strictly thin-walled products (the wall thickness of which varies about 2 millimeters) from nickel-chromium-type steels of type 03X18H10, which are highly resistant to corrosion. In addition to the standard designation, parts welded by such electrodes can be used at temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius, which greatly expands the horizon of their applicability.

In addition to applicability, ESAB OK 61.20 is interesting and from a purely practical side. They are capable of operating in wide voltage ranges (from 28 to 85 V), both when welding with inverter and at direct current. In addition, user reviews indicate a low consumption of electrodes (1.24 kilograms) for surfacing one kilogram of metal. Yes, in terms of cost, these samples are significantly superior to opponents of another kind. However, due to limited application and high quality of work, the price for them does not seem so serious.

1 ESAB OK 67.71 (350 x 3.2 mm; 4.8 kg)

Another representative of the ESAB company in this category has somewhat more blurred limits of applicability, which is its “calling card”. OK 67.71 are high-performance sour rutile electrodes intended for welding dissimilar steels with satisfactory mechanical strength indices. Most often, these consumables are used when combining stainless steel with low-alloy steels containing nickel, tungsten, molybdenum or cobalt.

ESAB OK 67.71 is brewed with strict adherence to welding current (34 A) and variable voltage values ​​(80-130 V). According to consumers, the biggest plus of these consumables is cost-effectiveness.With a standard weld seam per kilogram of weld metal, only 1.22 kilograms of electrodes will be required. By the way, their cost can also be called high, but the limits of applicability cause it with interest.

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of welding electrodes?
We vote!

ESAB

Quatro elementi

Kobelco

Inforce

Elitech

Resanta

Cedar

Special Electrode

Monolith

Total voted: 21

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