Welder’s Stick Electrode Resists Moisture for 24 Hours, Not 9
Lincoln Electric’s Excalibur 7018 XMR exceeds AWS requirement for low moisture content by 15 hours. Use it where hydrogen cracking is likely, such as fabrication in structural, pipeline, chemical processing and ship building industries.
Posted: June 16, 2020
When exposed to air, electrodes pick up moisture over time, which typically increases the hydrogen content of the weld – and potentially leads to failure. The Excalibur 7018 XMR low-hydrogen stick electrode from Lincoln Electric’s (Cleveland, OH) is designed to retain low moisture content even after 24 hours of exposure – remaining below the moisture content limit for 15 hours longer than required under the American Welding Society’s AWS A5.1.
Part of the company’s Excalibur SMAW stick electrode series, the 7018 XMR is well suited for applications susceptible to hydrogen cracking, a form of failure occurring when moisture causes porosity in the weld.
It’s used for general fabrication in many industries, including:
- Structural
- Pipeline
- Chemical Processing
- Ship Building
Previously, Lincoln Electric’s Excalibur 7018 MR stick electrode was designed to meet AWS (American Welding Society) standards (AWS A5 limit for nine hours’ exposure, H4R classification) for moisture resistance, meaning it will resist moisture for a full shift. After that, it is common practice to put electrodes from the opened container in a rod oven to bake the moisture out of the rod coating.
“We know that it is not always easy to keep track of time while on the job,” says Olivier Arnoult, product manager, SMAW, Lincoln Electric. “Many real-world users have longer shifts than the standard nine hours. Sometimes, it is necessary for welders to continue welding after the nine-hour mark or an oven is not available. Our customers deserve a solution that corresponds to real world situations … Excalibur 7018 XMR stick electrode minimizes moisture control risks.”
Key features of Excalibur 7018 XMR electrode include:
- Meets AWS H4R moisture requirements during up to 24 hours of exposure
- Improved coating integrity
- Extreme bendability – the rod coating maintains integrity when bent for welding in tight spaces to a greater extent than similar competitive rods
- 60% less moisture pickup vs. competition
Lincoln Electric always recommends that users follow the guidelines set by regulations and codes and evaluate the appropriateness of the welding consumable for their particular welding application.
