Manual metal arc welding technique was discovered in Russia during 1888s. This technique of welding is also termed as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or stick welding. The process of welding first starts by striking an arc between the base materials and the consumables electrode rod. These rods are made up of steel and it is covered with a flux and the weld area is protected from the oxidation and contamination during the welding process.

During the process when an arc is struck between the electrode and work piece materials the surfaces are melted down into the weld pool. And a coating is formed around the rod by melting down the flux. This melting of coating forms gas and slag to cover the weld pool from the surrounding environment. The speed of welding is relatively slow in this process because more often the welder has to replace the consumables rod and has to chip down the weld bead once the welding is over. This process of welding can also used to
weld other metals too.

The stability of arc formed, depth of penetration, the amount of metal being deposited totally depends on the position of welding and amount of coating provided on the electrode during the welding.