Subscribe

(http://weldingproductivity.com/)

 (http://twitter.com/weldingmagazine)  (http://www.pinterest.com/weldingmagazine)
 (http://plus.google.com/113467778101282470345)
 (https://www.linkedin.com/company/welding-productivity-magazine)
THE MAGAZINE NEWS MEDIA KIT
(HTTP://WELDINGPRODUCTIVITY.COM/NEWS/)
ABOUT
(HTTP://WELDINGPRODUCTIVITY.COM/MEDIA-
CONTACT Search Site
(HTTP://WELDINGPRODUCTIVITY.COM/ABOUT/)

KIT/)

WELDING PRODUCTIVITY

Filler metal attention MAGAZINE

Experience the full version of this

article in our magazine.
GETTING TO KNOW THE BEST PRACTICES FOR HANDLING AND
STORING FILLER METALS VIEW ARTICLE IN READER
By: Tim Hensley, distribution support manager, Hobart Brothers Co. (http://www.hobartbrothers.com/) (HTTP://WWW.NXTBOOK.COM/NXTBO
Tweet

When it comes to welding, much attention goes into selecting the right power source, establishing the
correct welding parameters and implementing the appropriate welding operator training to gain the ARTICLES BY TYPE
best results. Selecting the right filler metal is equally important. So, too, is knowing how to protect that
purchase with the right handling and storage techniques. Welding
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/welding
Proper filler metal handling and storage not only helps reduce unnecessary costs for damaged (22)
products, but it also helps ensure the best performance and weld quality. Whether welding takes place Systems & Equipment
in a large manufacturing facility, a small shop or in the field, the goal is to keep filler metals – from stick (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/system
electrodes to solid, flux-cored and metal-cored wires – in the same high-quality condition as they were equipment/) (15)
received from the manufacturer. Here are some tips. Cutting & Prep
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/cutting-
prep/) (15)
Handling steps Robotics
Filler metal damage can come in many forms. Moisture is the most common, but dirt, oil, grease and (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/robotic
other contaminants can also pose a problem. In most cases, such damage will void the manufacturer’s (15)
warranty for the product, leading to extra cost to obtain and inventory the replacement filler metal on Fume Extraction
top of disposing of the ruined welding wire or stick electrodes. (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/fume-
extraction/) (14)
Filler metals ship in vacuum or hermetically sealed packaging or are placed in a heavy plastic bag or Safety
wrap to protect them from contaminants. To help maintain their original condition, there are several (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/safety/)
key steps to take. (12)
Consumables
When removing filler metals from their packaging and preparing them for welding – such as placing a (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/consum
stick electrode in a holder or a spool of wire on a feeder – it is important to always wear clean gloves. (11)
Solid wire, in particular, can easily pick up sweat from bare hands. This moisture can lead to rusting Laser
and cause poor wire feeding or, potentially, porosity in the finished weld. Moisture can also lead to (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/laser-
hydrogen-induced cracking. welding/) (8)
Plasma
For wire welding operations, use an enclosed wire feeder when possible to protect the filler metal (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/plasma
from airborne contaminants in the environment. Remove the wire spool if that particular machine and cutting-prep/) (8)
wire feeder will not be in use for an extended period of time, as the enclosure cannot fully protect Automotive
against damage. This is especially true for facilities or shops that generate a significant amount of dust, (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/automo
such as those employing plasma or oxyfuel cutting systems. (7)
Arc
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/arc-
Storage practices welding/) (7)
Sawing
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/sawing
 In these environments, it is (7)
also important to store PPE
unused filler metals in an (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/ppe/)
area that can prevent (6)
cutting dust from Wire
accumulating on the surface (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/wire/)
of the wires. Dust can cause (6)
poor wire feeding or clog Filler Metals
the contact tip and nozzle, (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/filler-
resulting in poor electrical metals/) (6)
conductivity and an unstable Oxyacetylene
or erratic arc. Dust that (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/oxyace
accumulates on stick (5)
electrodes typically leads to Aluminum
porosity in the weld. Both (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/aluminu
instances can cause costly (4)
downtime for rework and for GMAW
replacing the damaged filler (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/gmaw/)
metals. (4)
Steel
Filler metals that have been (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/steel/)
opened but are not in use (3)
should be stored properly at Abrasives and Deburring
the end of the workday or (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/abrasiv
shift. Remove the wire spool and-deburring/) (3)
from the wire feeder and Shop Floor Productivity
place it in a clean plastic (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/shop-
bag, closing it securely. floor-productivity/) (2)
Proper filler metal handling and storage not only helps reduce unnecessary Store the bag in the original Aerospace
costs for damaged products, but it also helps ensure the best performance and box in a clean, dry area until (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/aerosp
weld quality
it is ready for use again. If it (2)
is not feasible to remove the Military
spool from the feeder, cover it securely with a plastic bag to gain some amount of protection. (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/military
(2)
Filler metals should be kept in a dry area ideally the same temperature as where the welding will take Trade Shows
place. Moving from a cold area to a warm area, for example, can lead to condensation and cause the (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/trade-
filler metal to absorb moisture. In the event that the storage and welding environments are different shows/) (2)
temperatures, allow the filler metal to acclimate to the temperature where it will be used as added Electric Resistance Welding
protection against moisture pickup. (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/electric
resistance-welding/) (2)
Unopened filler metal packages should always be stored away from water, oil, grease or other similarly Tube and Pipe
damaging elements. (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/tube-
and-pipe/) (2)

Stick electrode consideration Power Tools

(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/power-
For fabrication applications and welding in the field, stick electrodes are commonly used and require tools/) (1)
special attention when it comes to storage and handling. Protecting stick electrodes against moisture Gases
is the No. 1 goal. Stick electrodes can absorb moisture even more so than solid, flux-cored and metal- (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/gases/)
cored wires, which can lead to hydrogen-induced cracking, porosity and many other weld (1)
discontinuities that could lead to downtime for rework. Post Processing
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/post-
Stick electrode packaging, typically a can or carton, should never be left open. Depending on the type processing/) (1)
of stick electrode, they must often be stored in a holding (or rod) oven at a specific temperature after Training
opening to protect them from moisture. Filler metal manufacturers prescribe specific oven storage and (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/training
holding temperatures for each type of stick electrode. In some cases, a specific welding procedure or (1)
code may dictate how long a package of stick electrodes can remain open before it must be discarded Friction Stir Welding
– regardless of whether it has been stored in an oven or not. It is important to always follow the (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/friction-
welding code specifications for the job, as well as the filler metal manufacturer’s instructions for a stir-welding/) (1)
particular stick electrode. Heavy Equipment
(http://weldingproductivity.com/type/heavy-
equipment/) (1)
In the event that stick electrodes have been exposed to moisture, follow the recommended procedure Resistance Welding
for reconditioning – placing the damaged electrodes in an oven at a given temperature for a specified (http://weldingproductivity.com/type/resistan
period of time. Filler metal manufacturers provide reconditioning directions in each package. welding/) (1)

Note that welding wires should never be reconditioned. Similarly, stick electrodes bearing the
American Welding Society (AWS) classification E6010 and E6011 should not be stored in an oven and ISSUES
cannot be reconditioned. These stick electrodes require a specified level of moisture in the coating to
perform properly and create a quality weld. August 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/august
As added protection, look for stick electrode packaging options that provide greater moisture 2017/) (6)
resistance. These include wax-coated cartons or plastic packages. July 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/july-
2017-issue/) (7)
Better results June 2017
Keeping filler metals in the best condition possible is among several means of establishing good weld (http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/june-
quality, maintaining compliance with the specified welding parameters and eliminating unnecessary 2017/) (6)
downtime or costs. To achieve this, training is key. May 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/may-
Therefore, it’s advantageous for business owners to offer the appropriate filler metal handling and 2017/) (7)
storage training and always encourage welding operators to engage in these best practices. By taking April 2017
these simple steps, businesses can ultimately yield many positive results, leading to better productivity (http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/april-
and greater savings in the welding operation. 2017/) (6)
March 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/march
2017/) (6)
February 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/februa
2017/) (6)
January 2017
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/januar
2017/) (6)
December 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/decem
2016/) (6)
November 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/novem
Previous Article Next Article 2016/) (7)
October 2016
Add in the spin In a fix (http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/octobe
(http://weldingproductivity.com/article/add- (http://weldingproductivity.com/article/in-a-
2016/) (8)
in-the-spin/) fix/)
September 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/septem
2016/) (7)
August 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/august
2016/) (5)
July 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/july-
2016/) (5)
June 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/june-
2016/) (7)
May 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/may-
2016/) (5)
April 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/april-
2016/) (6)
March 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/march
2016/) (7)
 February 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/februa
2016/) (5)
January 2016
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/januar
2016/) (5)
November / December 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/novem
december-2015/) (7)
September / October 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/septem
october-2015/) (7)
July / August 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/july-
august-2015/) (8)
May / June 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/may-
june-2015/) (8)
March / April 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/march
april-2015/) (7)
January / February 2015
(http://weldingproductivity.com/issue/januar
february-2015/) (9)

SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR FREE

Email

Email address

First Name

First name

Last Name

Last name

SUBSCRIBE

(./)

NAVIGATE CONNECT CONTACT PARTNERS & PUBLICATIONS

The Magazine  Twitter Welding Productivity Techgen Media Group

(http://weldingproductivity.com/issues/) (http://twitter.com/weldingmagazine) (http://techgenmedia.com)
News  Pinterest Magazine
PO Box 516
US Metalworking Sourcebook
(http://weldingproductivity.com/news/) (http://www.pinterest.com/weldingmagazine) (https://usmetalworkingsourcebook.com/)
Media Kit  Google+ Plainsboro, NJ (New Jersey) 08536 FAB Shop Magazine Direct
(http://weldingproductivity.com/media- (http://plus.google.com/113467778101282470345) (http://www.fsmdirect.com)
kit/)  LinkedIn Shop Floor Lasers Magazine
About (https://www.linkedin.com/company/welding- (http://www.shopfloorlasers.com)
(http://weldingproductivity.com/about/) productivity-magazine) Sawing Productivity
(http://sawingproductivity.com)
Contact Praxair Corp. (http://www.praxair.com)
(http://weldingproductivity.com/contact/)

©2017 Welding Productivity® Magazine Inc. Site by East Slope Studio (http://eastslopestudio.com)