Consumable electrodes are the metal electrodes that supply the filler for welding. Consumable arc welding electrodes melt as you use them, forming an alloy with the welded material. In contrast, non-consumable electrodes don’t melt during use, but instead require filler wire to melt into a welded seam. You will find consumable electrodes classified as bare, light, medium or heavily coated and tungsten electrode is the most widely used consumable. The heavier the coating, the higher-quality weld the electrode will produce.

Consumable electrodes with different coatings result in different welding characteristics and some coatings leave very little slag while others deposit a protective coating on the welding steam. Some types of consumable electrodes produce welds that cool quickly and work with metal such as cast iron and stainless steel specifically. Each welding type has its own welding consumables such as tig consumables, mig consumables and plasma cutter consumables. Consumable electrodes that come with specific coatings require some special handling such as preheating.

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Tags: Arc Welder, arc welding, MIG welders, plasma cutter, Plasma Cutters, TIG Welder, welder, Welders