15 best welding electrodes

The main electrode designed for welding heavily loaded parts and products made of high-alloy alloys, characterized by a high degree of resistance to corrosion. Traditionally (and unlike ESAB's FILARC electrodes) they are used when operating on direct current of reverse polarity, which, in general, is not a surprise for experienced users.

In the vast majority of cases, "KEDR" E 308L-16 / OZL-8 is characterized as very convenient electrodes for welding structures in any spatial position (except for leading from top to bottom with a vertical seam). They are moderately expensive, very high quality and rarely falsified. True, by the will of the features of such a responsible matter, they could not avoid one minor nuance: before use, calcination is required with a temperature of 300-350 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes.

Another representative of ESAB, whose characteristics are very close to the well-known Pipeweld 8016 electrodes, did not go unnoticed. As the manufacturer himself notes, this consumable has a 100% recovery factor, although in reality this is hard to believe. However, this nuance cannot be considered a disadvantage in any way - judging by the reviews of experienced users, the electrode shows itself from an exceptionally good side.

ESAB FILARC 88S alloy weld impact toughness is known to have excellent conditions down to -60 degrees Celsius. In this regard, these basic electrodes can be used for welding structures operating at low temperatures, as well as in coastal areas where high humidity and low hydraulic loads prevail. Yes, their use is not a cheap pleasure, but high quality in our time is quite expensive.

A direct analog of OZL-8 brand electrodes, which got into the rating due to the optimal mechanical properties of the weld after surfacing. Subject to 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 in the region of -20 degrees Celsius. It is mainly used for welding corrosion-resistant steels in all spatial positions.

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

Electrodes of the Japanese company Kobelco, designed for welding pipes from metals of strength class up to K55 and from K55 to K60 inclusive. With due skill of the welder, it leaves an even seam or a neat bead, without splashing and maintaining a short arc throughout the welding process. Provided that all measures are taken to protect the seam from air and other contaminants, it endows the structure with good impact strength in the permanent joint zone, providing excellent crack resistance and deeper penetration of the base metal.

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

Say what you like, but the cheapness of consumables can solve any issue in their favor. ESAB UONI 13/55 is a bestseller for critical welding jobs requiring the use of basic coated electrodes. True, with a small caveat: carbon and low alloy steels can be welded. It's no joke, but from the point of view of the yield strength, this sample leaves out of work a much more expensive contender in the face of QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374, though only by 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 tension loads will be perceived somewhat worse.However, this does not bother consumers at all - the cost of the electrodes justifies any imperfection. In addition, there is another good reason to give preference to these particular electrodes: no one falsifies them because of the price.

Rutile electrode for manual arc welding, designed to obtain one-piece metal joints with a thickness of 3 to 20 millimeters. It welds carbon and low-alloy steels well, forming a reliable weld with a temporary resistance in the region of 440 MPa.

According to consumers, ELITECH MP-3C is very picky about storage conditions: small deviations in humidity or room temperature can cause damage to the coating. Otherwise, these electrodes do not bring anything new to the class: you can cook in any spatial position, on alternating and direct current.The main advantage of the sample concerns the cost parameter: for relatively little money, the consumer receives a solid consumable, the use of which is characterized by small losses in waste and spatter.

Rutile electrode used for welding critical structures by manual arc welding. It has rather high strength parameters (450 MPa of tensile strength) with strict adherence to welding conditions, as well as an impact strength value (80 J/cm²) and elongation (20%). Supports welding on direct and alternating current, but in the latter case requires the use of power supplies with open circuit voltage.

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

Resanta's products under the MP-3C brand do not differ much from those of Elitech, but show 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.So, a seam welded in compliance with the technology and specified modes is capable of showing up to 450 MPa of rupture resistance.

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

Italian rutile electrodes, in demand in mechanical engineering and construction, the main difference from competitors of which is the use for welding low-alloy and 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 rough raw surfaces (with traces of scale and rust).

Favorably stands out against the background of other electrodes due to high mechanical parameters. So, the temporary resistance of the weld (subject to the recommendations for cutting and stripping) is 480 MPa, and the impact strength at low temperatures is 110 J/cm². As in the case of most competitors, the consumption of electrodes per kilogram of deposited metal is 1.7 kilograms, leaving for waste and spatter. Despite this, they are used quite often: after all, quality always plays "for" popularity.

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-position, that is, metal surfacing can be performed even in the vertical direction from top to bottom. According to the consumer, with proper welding, it gives a perfectly even seam: smooth, without a single hint of excess convexity or other defects. Users, for the most part, confirm this property of ESAB OK 46.30, noting only that it is important not to make a mistake with 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 another positive nuance: the consumption of electrodes for surfacing the same kilogram is a little more than 1.3 kilograms. In comparison with competitors, this result looks very good.

"Monolith" RC ANO-36 is not purely cellulose (the coating is supplemented with rutile components), and therefore it is used both for joining simple structures and for welding critical products. These electrodes provide deep penetration of metals with a thickness of 3 to 20 millimeters, forming a smooth, defect-free seam. They can be bent freely without damaging the coating, so they can be brought even to hard-to-reach places.

As professional welders note, "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. Yes, and in case of getting wet, they show themselves extremely healthy: all that is required from 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.

One of the few representatives of cellulose electrodes that allow welding on unprepared low-alloy or carbon steel (with traces of moisture, small impurities and oxides), the resistance limit of which is 450 MPa. Effectively cooks in any spatial position and when powered by current of any polarity (both alternating from the inverter and direct). Provides a fairly high value of impact strength (130 J/cm²), as well as relative elongation (25%). All the more prosaic against this background is the value of the yield strength, which is 390 MPa. In principle, this is enough for the seam to work, but in comparison with competitors it is not enough.The main advantage of "SpetsElectrode" MP-3C, according to users, is the notorious level of cost, which is favorably combined with the quality of the weld.

Another representative of the Swedish company ESAB, which is characterized by an atypical tendency for cellulose electrodes to retain properties during short-term overheating. Designed mainly for manual arc welding of pipes, carbon and low alloy steels. It is distinguished by a low relative elongation in the weld zone (28%) and a sufficiently high strength (450 MPa).

In general, with the exception of the cellulose coating, ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus does not differ dramatically from a number of basic or rutile electrode versions. Except, perhaps, for one fact: the welding process requires complete cleaning of the metal from oxides, impurities and moisture - only in this case can acceptable results be achieved in terms of structural reliability. The cost, as usual, is quite high, but if you need a high quality seam, these samples should be considered prevailing.

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

In addition to applicability, ESAB OK 61.20 is also interesting from a purely practical point of view. They are capable of operating in a wide voltage range (from 28 to 85 V), both when welding with an inverter and with 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 a different kind. However, due to the limited use and high quality of work, the price for them does not seem so serious.

Another representative of ESAB in this category has somewhat more blurred boundaries of applicability, which is its "calling card". OK 67.71 are acid-rutile electrodes of increased productivity, designed for welding dissimilar steels with satisfactory mechanical strength.Most often, such consumables are used when connecting stainless steel with low-alloy steels containing nickel, tungsten, molybdenum or cobalt.

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