The Electrode
• Is a consumable - it gets melted during the welding process
• Is composed of two parts
– Core Rod (Metal Filler)
§ Carries welding current
§ Becomes part of the weld
– Flux Coating
§ Produces a shielding gas
§ Can provide additional filler
§ Forms a slag
• A shielding gas is formed when the flux coating melts.
• This protects the weld puddle from the atmosphere preventing contamination during the molten state.
