Storage and Handling of Electrodes [Part 1]

What is baking of an electrode?

The coating of the electrode is having the tendency to absorb moisture. Baking is the process of removing moisture from the electrodes, with the help of heat, thereby reducing the level of dissolved H2 in the weld metal which is prone to make delayed cracking in the weld metal.

How baking is done?

Baking is done with the help of ovens. These ovens are fitted with electrical resistant heating coils which will generate heat upon giving electrical current. The heat in the coils are controlled by temperature controllers. The temperature required is set in the temperature controllers. It automatically controls the temperature in the oven.

What is the difference between mother oven, holding oven and portable oven (Heated Electrode Quiver)?

Mother oven is the oven in which fresh electrodes are put which are taken from the original electrode packets.

Holding oven is the oven in which the electrodes are put to maintain the holding temperature.

Portable oven is the oven which are used to carry the electrodes, transferred from the holding oven, to the job location, where it is electrically connected and holding temperature is maintained.

Electrode Issue Process:

Electrode as per requirement at site/job location are assessed by welding engineer. Welding engineer will raise the requisition to issue the electrodes through electrode issue slip. 

The welding assistant (Helper to the welder) will take the electrode issue slip to the electrode store and handover the slip to the electrode issuer (electrode store keeper). The welding assistant will take the electrode bits of the previously issued electrodes along with the electrode issue slip and that also will be handed over to the electrode issuer.

The electrode issuer cross check the signature of the welding engineer with the specimen signature list of welding engineers available with him. He will also cross check the welder details (qualification to use the requested electrode) with the qualified welder list available with him. He will issue the electrodes as per requirement in the electrode issue slip.

If the electrode is of low hydrogen type, electrodes are taken in a portable oven by the welding assistant, if else the welding assistant will take it as a loosely tied bundle.