This set of articles contains information about some basics of SMAW welding, SMAW equipment, with some focus on SMAW welding of aluminum.
When aluminum is welded with shielded metal-arc welding (SMAW) process, the stick electrodes are heavy coated. The flux does the function of chemically reacting with the aluminium oxide layer, and removing it. Besides this, the flux also performs the function of shielding the arc from atmospheric gases, and forms a slag over the completed weld. The … Read more
SMAW, short for shielded metal arc welding, is the most commonly used welding process in the world. It is an arc welding process in which coalescence is obtained by utilizing the heat of an electric arc between a consumable flux-covered electrode and work-piece. No pressure is generally applied. In this article, we shall see about … Read more
(1) The core of the covered electrode consists of either a solid metal rod of drawn or cast material or one fabricated by encasing metal powders in a metallic sheath. The core rod conducts the electric current to the arc and provides filler metal for the joint. The electrode covering shields the molten metal from … Read more
The equipment needed for shielded metal arc welding is much less complex than that needed for other arc welding processes. Manual welding equipment includes a power source (transformer, dc generator, or dc rectifier), electrode holder, cables, connectors, chipping hammer, wire brush, and electrodes. Arc Welding Parameters. (1) Welding voltage, current, and travel speed are very … Read more