Storage & handling recommendations for consumables –
Electrodes, Filler or Bare or Cored wires, Strips And Fluxes
Maximum storage time
recommended storage conditions described in the individual consumables are adhered to,
the maximum storage time for all the consumbles covered 3 years. After this time the
product should be thoroughly checked before use.
1. Covered MMA electrodes
Storage conditions All covered electrodes are sensitive to moisture pick-up. High moisture
contents in the coating can cause porosity or hydrogen cracking. However, the pick up rate
will be very slow when stored under correct climatic conditions:
•5-15°C: max60%RH
•15-25°C: max50%RH
•>25°C: max40%RH
If electrodes are stored under the described storage conditions, they can be kept for
maximum of three years.
Redrying
•Low hydrogen covered basic electrodes should be re-dried before use whenever there are
application requirements relating to weld metal hydrogen content and/or radiographic
soundness (not needed for VacPac).
•Acid rutile stainless electrodes and all types of basic electrodes may produce pores in the
weld metal if they have not been stored in sufficiently dry conditions. Re-drying the
electrodes will restore their usability.
•Mild steel rutile and acid electrodes normally need no re-drying.
•Cellulose electrodes must not be re-dried.
•Electrodes, which are seriously damaged by moisture, cannot be restored to their original
condition by baking and should be scrapped.
Redrying conditions
•Redrying and holding temperatures and holding times are specified on the package label.
•There drying temperature is the temperature in the bulk of the electrodes. The redrying
time is measured from the point at which the redrying temperature has been reached. •Do
not stack more than four layers of electrodes in the redrying oven.
•It is recommended not to dry covered electrodes more than three times.
Discoloration in the coating
If the colour of the electrodes changes during storage, they should be scrapped.
Damaged coating Physically damaged electrodes
Where sections of the coating are missing will not perform correctly and should be
scrapped.
Covered MMA electrodes in VacPac
No re-baking, no holding ovens, no quivers. MMA electrodes from
VacPac can be used straight from the package without the need to
re-bake them and store them temporarily in holding ovens and
quivers. Upon opening, fresh and dry electrodes are guaranteed when
the vacuum is maintained.
Electrodes of low moisture absorption type(LMA, classified as H4 or
H5), re-absorb moisture slowly from the air. The safe exposure time
for this type of electrode is 12 hours* after opening the VacPac with
the foil left in place.
* Valid at standard AWS test conditions of 26.7°C and 80%RH.
How to handle VacPac
To protect the vacuum foil, avoid using a knife or any other sharp
object when opening the outer package. Keep the electrodes inside
the package and do not take out more than one electrode at a
time. Low moisture absorption type electrodes(LMA)that have been
exposed to the atmosphere in an opened VacPac for more than 12
hours(26.7°C and 80%RH)should be discarded or re-dried.
Solid MIG/MAG wires, TIG rods and SAW wires
should be stored in dry conditions in original sealed undamaged
packaging as supplied. Contact with water or moisture should be
avoided. This could take the form of rain or the condensation of moisture
on a cold wire. To avoid condensation, keep the wire in the original
packaging and, if necessary, leave the wire to warm up to at least the
ambient temperature before opening the package. Other hydrogen-
containing substances, like oil, grease and corrosion or substances that
could absorb moisture must also be avoided on the surface of the wires.
Spooled wire is supplied packed in plastic bags and partly used spools
should be replaced into a plastic bag for storage to prevent surface
contamination. Wire should be stored at ambient conditions of
temperature and humidity, and dusty areas should be avoided when
wire is not enclosed in some type of dust-protecting packaging or
equipment.
Wire for TIG (GTAW) welding should be protected from dust and
airborne contamination after removal from the packaging. The
package for TIG wires consist of a rigid fibre tube with a plastic lid
that can be closed again after breaking the sealing. The tube is PE
coated and provides a very good moisture protection. The package
is also very stable and user friendly. Marathon Pac bulk drums for
MIG/ MAG welding is designed for fast, efficient handling and ease
of eventual recycling. VCI paper inside every drum and protective foil
around each pallet is protecting the wire against moisture during
transport and storage. Once empty, simply remove the lifting straps
from the octagonal drum and fold it completely flat for easy and
space saving storage until collection. Also note that Marathon Pac
protects your welding wire from contamination. Recommended
conditions of storage for all solid wires are minimum
temperatureof15°Candhumidity of maximum 60% RH.
Aluminium wires
Atmospheric conditions affect weld quality. Moisture (H2O) is a prime
source of hydrogen. At arc temperatures, water breaks down
releasing hydrogen atoms that cause porosity in weldments.
Aluminium, which is allowed to repeatedly come into contact with
water, will eventually form a hydrated oxide (AIOH) coating. Moisture
from condensation present on either the electrode or the base metal
can cause two problems during welding:
Porosity caused by hydrogen generated from the breakdown of
water or from the breakdown of hydrated oxide (AIOH) present
on the metal surfaces.
Entrapment of the actual oxide (AIOH) present on the metal
surfaces, in the weldment. In an aluminium welding shop, the
uniformity of air and metal temperatures is important especially
when the relative humidity is high. Electrode and base metal
should be allowed to stabilise to the weld area temperature.
The electrode should not be opened in the weld area for 24
hours after entry from a cooler storage area. The base metal.
should be cleaned and brushed with a clean stainless steel brush
prior to welding.
Strips Welding operators must keep strips as clean and protected
as possible. This includes careful and proper storage and handling
all stock to prevent dust and organic compounds including body
oils contaminating the strip surface.
Cored wires should be stored in their unopened and undamaged
original packaging. Failure to do this may seriously reduce the
durability of the consumables. Storage times should be kept to a
minimum and stock rotation should be used. Non and low alloyed
cored wires are not susceptible to rapid moisture absorption since
the core ingredients are protected from the atmosphere but the
sheath. Strict QA procedures ensure all of cored wires contain
low levels of moisture in the as manufactured condition.
To maintain the low moisture levels cored wires should be stored
under correct conditions. Poor storage conditions can be
detrimental to their performance and shelf life. Inadequate storage
conditions can lead to surface rusting or contamination of the wire
to the extent that feedability and diffusible hydrogen levels are
adversely affected. Stainless steel cored wires are more sensitive
to moisture pick up. Therefore the spools are vacuum packed in
Aluminium foil pouches. The storage recommendations are the
same as for unalloyed and low-alloyed cored wires.
For stainless steel cored wires extra attention is required in order
to ensure that they are returned to the correct storage conditions
the end of the working period. Wires should not be left on welding
machines or out of the store for prolonged periods, especially
overnight, since condensation of moisture from the air may lead
to rapid surface deterioration. Always replace wires in their original
packaging and return them to controlled storage areas. If a wire
has been left on the equipment for a long period of time, it is
good practice to run off at least one layer of wire to remove the
worst of any surface oxidation or contamination that may have
occurred. All cored wires should avoid direct contact with water
or moisture. This could take the form of rain or the condensation
of moisture on a cold wire. To avoid condesation the relative
humidity and temperature shall be monitored and the temperature
should not fall below the dew point, Other hydrogen-containing
substances like oil, grease and corrosion or substances that could
absorb moisture must also be avoided on the wire surface.
SAW and strip cladding fluxes
Storage
•Unopened flux bags must be stored in maintained storage
conditions as follows: T:20+/-10°CRelativehumidity: as low as
possible - not exceeding 60%.
•Fluxes delivered in aluminium lined BigBags can be stored under
more severe climatic conditions, because the packaging protects
the flux reliably from moisture pick-up, as long as it is unopened
and undamaged.
•The content of unprotected flux hoppers must, after an 8 hours
shift, be placed in a drying cabinet or heated flux hopper at
atemperatureof150+/-25°C.
•Remaining flux from opened bags must be placed at a
temperatureof150+/-25°C. Re-cycling
•Moisture and oil must be removed from the compressed air used
in the re-cycling system.
•Addition of new flux must be done with the proportion of at least
one part new flux to three parts re-cycled flux.
•Foreign material, such as mill scale and slag, must be removed by
a suitable system, such as sieving.
References:
Esab consumable hand book - www.esab.com
