TRANSTIG 200 Pi
SERVICE MANUAL
4-14
March 31, 2008
4.14 Basic Arc Welding Guide
1. Electrode Polarity:
Stick electrodes are generally connected to the ‘+’
terminal and the work lead to the ‘-’ terminal but if in
doubt consult the electrode manufacturers literature.
2. Effects of Stick Welding Various Materials:
A. High tensile and alloy steels
The two most prominent effects of welding
these steels are the formation of a hardened
zone in the weld area, and, if suitable
precautions are not taken, the occurrence in
this zone of under-bead cracks. Hardened
zone and under-bead cracks in the weld area
may be reduced by using the correct
electrodes, preheating, using higher current
settings, using larger electrodes sizes, short
runs for larger electrode deposits or
tempering in a furnace.
B. Manganese steels
The effect on manganese steel of slow cooling
from high temperatures is to embrittle it. For
this reason it is absolutely essential to keep
manganese steel cool during welding by
quenching after each weld or skip welding to
distribute the heat.
C. Cast Iron
Most types of cast iron, except white iron, are
weldable. White iron, because of its extreme
brittleness, generally cracks when attempts
are made to weld it. Trouble may also be
experienced when welding white-heart
malleable, due to the porosity caused by gas
held in this type of iron.
D. Copper and alloys
The most important factor is the high rate of
heat conductivity of copper, making
preheating of heavy sections necessary to give
proper fusion of weld and base metal.
E. Types of Electrodes
Arc Welding electrodes are classified into a
number of groups depending on their
applications. There are a great number of
electrodes used for specialized industrial
purposes which are not of particular interest
for everyday general work. These include
some low hydrogen types for high tensile
steel, cellulose types for welding large
diameter pipes, etc. The range of electrodes
dealt with in this publication will cover the vast
majority of applications likely to be
encountered; are all easy to use and all will
work on even the most basic of welding
machines.
Metals being joined
Electrode
Comments
Mild steel
6013
Ideal electrodes for all general purpose work. Features
include out standing operator appeal, easy arc starting and
low spatter.
Mild steel
7014
All positional electrode for use on mild and galvanized steel
furniture, plates, fences, gates, pipes and tanks etc.
Especially suitable for vertical-down welding.
Cast iron
99% Nickel Suitable for joining all cast irons except white cast iron.
Stainless steel
318L-16
High corrosion resistance. Ideal for dairy work, etc. On
stainless steels.
Copper, Bronze,
Brass, etc.
Bronze 5.7
ERCUSI-A
Easy to use electrode for marine fittings, water taps and
valves, water trough float arms, etc. Also for joining copper to
steel and for bronze overlays on steel shafts.
High Alloy Steels,
Dissimilar Metals,
Crack Resistance. All
Hard-To-Weld Jobs.
312-16
It will weld most problematical jobs such as springs, shafts,
broken joins mild steel to stainless and alloy steels. Not
suitable for Aluminum.
Table 4-13: Types of Electrodes