Stick Welders
| The Shielded Metal Arc Welding process (SMAW), commonly referred to as Stick welding, derives the heat for welding from an electric arc established between a consumable stick electrode and the part to be welded. The stick electrode is clamped in an electrode holder which is connected to the stick welder by a power cable. The typical stick electrode consists of a metal rod (3/32 to 1/4”diameter) that is coated with flux. The flux has a number of important functions during the stick welding process – it generates shielding gas to protect the molten metal from atmospheric contamination, it provides “scavengers” and “deoxidizers” to refine the weld metal, it increases deposition rates and it produces a slag blanket over the weld. The stick welding process has low start-up costs (stick welders are relatively inexpensive), is portability, can be used outdoors without special arrangements, has all position welding capability, and is usable on a wide variety of materials. |
Lincoln - Stick Welders
