en STICK ELECTRODES Storage & Handling ‘STORING LOW HYDROGEN ELECTRODES Low hydrogen electrodes must be dry to perform propery. Unopened hermetically sealed containers provide excellent pratection in goad storage concitians. Opened cans or electrodes ‘should be stored in acabinet at 120°-150"C (250° -300"F) Moisture resistant electrodes with an “R* suffix have a high resistance ta coating maisture pick-up, However, allow hydrogen electrodes shouldbe stored properly, ‘even those with an "R” suffix, Standard EXX7 electroces should bbe supplied to welders twice per shift. Moisture resistant types ‘may be exposed for up to $ hours. Specific code requirements may indicate exposure limits different from these guidelines, Depending on the amount of moisture absorbed and other Factors, ‘moisture pickup can degrade weld qualty in various ways: 1. Moisture in low hydrogen electrodes may cause porosity. This porosity could be completely subsurface and require tay inspection or destructive testing The porosity could alsobe visble, extemal porasty 2. High moisture can alsa lead to excessive slag Mud, araugh weld surface, and difficult slag removal 4. Excessive moisture in low hydrogen electrodes will lead to clevated levels of ciffusible hycrogen which, n umn, can lead to hhydiogen-induced weld cracking and/or undertead cracking, RE-DRYING LOW HYDROGEN ELECTRODES Re-drying, when done correctly, restores the electrodes’ abilty to deposit quality welds. Proper re-drying termperature depends upan the electroce type and its condition, One haur at the listed final temperature is satisfactry. DO NOT dry electrodes at higher ‘temperatures, Several hours at lawer temperatures 's not ‘equivalent to using the specified requirements, Flectrodes of the F8018 and higher strength classifications should be given no more than three 1-haur re-driesin the 370°-430°C (700° -800"F) range. This minimizes the possibilty of oxidation ‘of alloys in the coating whicn would resultin lower than normal tensile or impact properties. [ny low hydrogen electrode should be discarded if excessive re-drying causes the coating ta become fragile and flake or break ‘off while welding orf there is @noticeable difference in handling, for arc characteristics, such as insufficient ar force Electrades to be re~cried should be removed fram the can and ‘spread out in the oven because each electrode must reach the drying temperature, ‘STORING CELLULOSIC ELECTRODES Electrodes in unopened Lincoln cans ar cartons retain the proper moisture content indefiitely when stored in goed condition If exposed to humid air for long periods of time, electrodes from opened containers may pick up enough moisture to affect ‘operating characteristics or weld qualty. if moisture appears to be a problem, store electrodes from the opened containers Inheated cabinets at 40° to 50°C (100° to 120°, ‘STORING AND RE-DRYING NON-LOW HYDROGEN ELECTRODES Electrodes in unopened Lincoln cans ar cartons retain the proper moisture content indefinitely when stored in good condition If exposed to humid air for long periods of time, electrodes from ‘opened containers may pick up enaugh moisture to affect ‘operating characteristics or weld qualty. if moisture appears tobe a problem, store elecirodes fram the opened containers, Inhreated cabinets at 40° t0 50°C (100° to 120°F], 00NOT se higher temperatures ‘Some electrades from wet containers of long exposure tohigh humidity canbe re-dried, Follow the procedures below for each type Using longer drying times or higher temperatures can easily damage the electrodes. For dying. remove the electrodes from the container and spread them out in the furnace because each electrade must reach the drying temperaturePA STICK ELECTRODES Storage & Handling mw RE-DRYING CONDITIONS - LOW HYDROGEN Pre-dving Final Re-dving condition Tempers” “Temperature Elecroges exposed to airforless than one week _ 370" -430°C ro diect contact with water 700 -a09°F} Electrodes which have comein dees contact with 0-105" 370" - 430°C ‘water ar which nave been exposec to nigh hum. (190° -220°A1 (700° -800"F} RE-DRYING CONDITIONS - NON-LOW HYDROGEN Final Re-drne lecrode Hecode croup ‘Temperature Time E6010 Excessive moisture sindcated by noisy ac and igh pater, rusty coree Not E6011 wire a the hold end orabjetonable coating Bsters while welding Recommended - 7010-01 erorerny Rebakng of tis group of electrodes snot recommenced 8010-6": 9010-6": E72 Tecessive moisture s ndcated by anoisy or Oguing av hgh spatter eght | __200"-260-¢ 30-5 027 slag or undercut, Pre-dry unusualy damp elecraces fr 3045 minutesat | (400* -500°F] mutes 90°C to 110°C (200°F to 230°F Defore fra drying to minimize cracking of the costing, E5073 Excessive mature s ndcated by anolsyor @gging arc heh spatter w—ie | 150" - 180" 20-30 E7014 slag or undercut Pre-ry unusualy damp elecrodes for 30-45 minutes at | (300° -350°F] ‘minutes 5022 80°C to 110°C (200°F to 230" before fal drying to ‘menize cracking ofthe coating “wes 2h i STAINLESS STEEL & NICKEL Storage & Handling ‘STORING STAINLESS STEEL AND NICKEL Excalibur" stainless steel covered electrades should be hancled and stored asf they were low hydrogen electrodes for welding low steels, They shaula be pratected fram moisture pickup. The consequences of moisture pickup with Excalibur stanless electrodes do not include cold cracking, as would be the case vith low alloy steels, unless they are usad for dissimilar metal joining, Butif Excallbur stainless electrades are exposed for ‘extended periods a hurd environment, the coating can pick up ‘enaugh moisture te cause starting porosity andor center ine porosity, The electrade should be stared in sealed cans, or stored Inanaven at about 120°C [250°F}: this is also recommenced for ‘luxccored wires, Plastic spools can be baked up to 65°C (150°F) ‘with no issues. Stainless can be restored to lie new canditions by baking one hour at 345-~425"C (550-800°F], Nickel electrades should be reconditioned before by baking in drying oven for 1-2 hours at 204-260°C (400-500°F) rmwincneecccam | 12