13 best welding electrodes

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Arc welding is a spectacular spectacle, albeit unsafe for the eyes. This technology has long been used to connect steel elements into a single reliable structure. The electrode plays one of the main roles in this process. This consumable material allows the deposition of a layer of metal that firmly joins the edges of different parts. Today in the domestic market there are electrodes of different thicknesses, they differ in coating and price. To select the electrode with optimal parameters, you should heed the advice of experts.

How to choose welding electrodes

1. Diameter. When choosing the diameter of electrode products, it is necessary to start from the thickness of the elements to be connected and the capabilities of the welding machine. The most popular and universal is the three (3 mm).
2. Coating. Coating serves several purposes. First of all, the rod is protected from corrosion. But even more important is the formation of a protective atmosphere in the welding zone, which prevents the formation of slag.
3. Electrodes behave differently when welding dirty or rusted surfaces. Not all welders pay due attention to the cleanliness of the mating edges. Therefore, they will like unpretentious consumables more, even if their price is slightly higher.
4. Brand of electrodes. Most of the electrode products weld low-carbon and low-alloy steels well. But to work with stainless steel or alloyed grades, you should give preference to specialized consumables.
5. Storage. Different types of coatings are capable of absorbing moisture in certain quantities. It negatively affects the quality of the seam, problems appear with the ignition of the arc, some electrodes become completely unsuitable for welding. Therefore, it is best to find a place for the electrode pack in a heated dry room.
6. Manufacturer. Until recently, domestic welders spoke with admiration about imported electrode products, which were a cut above their domestic counterparts. Today there is a tendency to improve the quality of Russian electrodes, they are not much inferior to foreign competitors.

Our review includes 13 of the best welding electrodes. When compiling the rating, the opinions of experts and the reviews of Russian welders were taken into account.

Rating of the best welding electrodes

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Best Basic Coated Welding Electrodes	1	ESAB SSSI 13/55	4.9
	2	Hansa Pioneer ANO-46	4.8
	3	QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374	4.7
	4	OZL-8 (LEZ)	4.7
	5	Kobelco LB-52U	4.6
The best rutile coated welding electrodes	1	Quattro Elementi 772-166	4.9
	2	ESAB OK 46.30	4.8
	3	Lincoln Electric Omnia 46	4.7
	4	'Resanta' MR-3S	4.6
	5	ELITECH MP-3C	4.5
The best cellulosic welding electrodes	1	ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus	4.9
	2	'SpetsElektrod' MR-3S	4.8
Best Acid Coated Welding Electrodes	1	ESAB OK 67.71	4.8

Best Basic Coated Welding Electrodes

Welding electrodes with basic coating are widely used for joining steel workpieces. They are easy to use, affordable, and provide a reliable seam. The experts have selected some good consumables.

ESAB SSSI 13/55

Rating: 4.9

Reasonable price and good quality of the weld are the main reasons for the popularity of the Swedish ESAB SSSI 13/55 electrodes among domestic welders. With their help, it is possible to reliably connect parts made of low-alloy and carbon steels. In some parameters (yield point 420 MPa), the material surpasses the characteristics of more expensive competitors. In this case, the relative elongation of the seam reaches 22%. The disadvantages of this characteristic can only be attributed to the case when it is required to ensure the elasticity of the connection.

Experts believe that an important advantage of ESAB SSSI 13/55 welding electrodes is the absence of counterfeits on the Russian market. Unscrupulous businessmen simply cannot offer a better price than the manufacturer. The electrodes become the winner of our rating.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• resistance to weathering;
• high yield stress;
• no fakes.

disadvantages

• low relative tension.

Hansa Pioneer ANO-46

Rating: 4.8

Welding electrodes Ganza Pioneer ANO-46 demonstrate good work. With their help, professionals make a high-quality and uniform seam with a decent appearance. Welders are especially pleased with the light initial state of the arc, in the future combustion is stable and soft. Electrodes do not require special skills, so beginners can also work with them. Welding can be started without any special edge preparation or rust removal.

In the reviews, many welders note the affordable price of the Ukrainian material, unpretentiousness in work. The only limitation is joining mild steel parts (up to 0.25% carbon). The molten metal fills wide gaps well, creating a secure seam. The material is worthy of the second line of our rating.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• unpretentiousness to the quality of edges;
• ease of use;
• high quality seam.

disadvantages

• high consumption.

QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374

Rating: 4.7

The honorable third place in the rating was taken by the premium electrodes QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374. They are designed for welding work with stainless steel grades. Welding can be carried out in different planes, but it is not recommended to lower the electrode vertically from top to bottom. The arc flares well both when using alternating current and direct current with reverse polarity. Experts appreciate the material for a smooth and high-quality seam, therefore they prefer Italian products, despite the high price. It is somewhat inferior to QUATTRO ELEMENTI 771-374 to the winner in the yield point (400 MPa), but the relative elongation reaches 41%.

According to users, Italian electrodes are the best in their category, only the high price did not allow them to rise higher in the rating.

Advantages

• high-quality seam;
• work with different types of current;
• welding of stainless steel;
• stable combustion.

disadvantages

• high price.

OZL-8 (LEZ)

Rating: 4.7

Special electrodes are required for welding stainless steels with high nickel and chromium content. Domestic elements OZL-8 (LEZ) meet all technological requirements. They proved to be excellent when welding highly loaded units, even when operating under conditions of alternating loads. After the joint cools down, a small amount of slag forms on the surface, which can be easily removed mechanically. The electrodes rank only fourth in the rating due to the deterioration of technical parameters during humidification.

Experienced welders have identified a certain limitation in their work. The electrodes can only be used in devices that generate DC current with reverse polarity.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• reliable welding of stainless steel;
• slight slagging;
• ease of seam guidance.

disadvantages

• the properties of the seam deteriorate when the electrodes are moistened.

Kobelco LB-52U

Rating: 4.6

The Japanese Kobelco LB-52U electrodes are designed to work with low carbon steel. Professionals admire the possibility of high-quality one-sided welding. First of all, the electrodes help out when installing steel pipelines. The quality of the seam is excellent, especially if the work is done by a qualified craftsman. No splashing of molten metal occurs during electrode guidance. As a result, excellent resistance to cracking of the joint, deep penetration into steel, high strength (588 N / sq. Mm). To ensure all the best properties of the electrode, annealing is required for 0.5-1 hour at a temperature of 300-350 ° C.

Japanese products are at the bottom of the top five due to their high prices and a tendency to damp quickly.

Advantages

• tough and durable seam;
• you can lead the electrode in any direction;
• deep penetration into metal.

disadvantages

• high price;
• fast moisture absorption.

The best rutile coated welding electrodes

Rutile electrodes have become very popular in recent years. They are loved by welders for their quick ignition, resistance to moisture, the ability to work on direct and alternating current. Here are some quality models.

Quattro Elementi 772-166

Rating: 4.9

In the metalworking field, rutile electrodes Quattro Elementi 772-166 are in steady demand. They are designed for welding low carbon and low alloy steels. The excellent quality of the seam is achieved due to the unique chemical composition, even edges with dirt and corrosion are joined without pores and pits. Experts highlight the outstanding mechanical properties of electrode products. The yield point reaches 290 MPa, the impact strength is 110 J / sq. see Powerful and stable arc simplifies the welder's work.

The disadvantages of Italian electrodes are high cost for users. To weld 1 kg of metal, it takes up to 1.7 kg of rutile material.

Advantages

• high-quality seam;
• high technical parameters;
• no need to clean the edge from rust;
• powerful stable arc.

disadvantages

• high consumption.

ESAB OK 46.30

Rating: 4.8

Professional welders use the Swedish ESAB OK 46.30 electrodes for welding critical parts, pipes and steel up to 3 cm thick. At first glance, the high price should be an obstacle to purchase, but the ease of use and excellent quality of the seam add popularity to the material. Metal can be deposited in different planes, even moving vertically from top to bottom. With the correct setting of the current modes, the seam turns out to be smooth, without bulges and defects.

When calculating the cost, it is important to rely not only on the price of rutile electrodes, but also on the consumption. Swedish products demonstrate efficiency in this regard, when surfacing 1 kg of metal, up to 1.3 kg of material is consumed. Therefore, users in reviews mostly praise the electrodes, the only drawback is the rapid damping.

Advantages

• surfacing in different planes;
• perfectly straight and smooth seam;
• economical consumption.

disadvantages

• quickly absorb moisture.

Lincoln Electric Omnia 46

Rating: 4.7

The American company Lincoln Electric has rich experience in the development of welding electrodes. Therefore, the products of this manufacturer occupy leading positions in the ratings. The Omnia 46 has a rutile cellulose coating that offers a number of benefits. The electrodes ignite easily even on devices that do not have an option to facilitate ignition. This allows novice welders to control the arc burning. During operation, a large number of sparks are not formed, which is beneficial for both convenience and safety. Welders are also pleased with the unpretentiousness of the electrodes; when joining rusty or dirty workpieces, the slag is easily separated.

Experts note the high strength of the formed seam and the availability of the material. It is only necessary to anneal the electrodes before work due to dampness.

Advantages

• durable seam;
• easy ignition of the arc;
• slight sparking.

disadvantages

• tendency to dampness.

'Resanta' MR-3S

Rating: 4.6

The Latvian company Resanta conquers Russian consumers at an affordable price. Rutile-coated electrodes MR-3S are popular with domestic welders not only because of their low price. Consumable material demonstrates high performance properties that are not inferior to the leaders of the rating. For example, the tensile strength of the seam reaches 450 MPa, subject to the welding technology. The advantage of the material is the absence of pores and easy slag separation. However, the Baltic products also have weaknesses that did not allow them to get into the top three.

First of all, the seam has an elongation of only 18%. Electrodes work significantly worse when moistened. The product has to be ignited for 1 hour at a temperature of 150-170 ° C.

Advantages

• low price;
• easy ignition;
• work on alternating and direct current.

disadvantages

• low elongation;
• deterioration in the quality of the seam when the electrode is wetted.

ELITECH MP-3C

Rating: 4.5

Domestic development ELITECH MP-3C closes the five best rutile electrodes. The purpose of the electrodes is to weld steel blanks up to 2 cm thick. It is best to work with low-alloy and carbon steel grades. The resulting seam is characterized by smoothness and high tensile strength (440 MPa). Metal deposition is allowed in any plane, using both alternating and direct current. The experts liked the minimal splashing of molten metal, minimal losses of the consumable for waste.

Domestic consumers speak positively about the availability of electrodes and the reliability of the seam. Of the minuses, it should be attributed picky about storage conditions. High humidity and low temperature deteriorate the rutile coating.

Advantages

• universality of application;
• smooth seam;
• high strength.

disadvantages

• picky about storage conditions.

The best cellulosic welding electrodes

To improve the handling of hand held arc welders, manufacturers apply a cellulosic coating to the electrodes. It effectively protects the seam from oxidation. The following consumables are widely used.

ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus

Rating: 4.9

ESAB Pipeweld 7010 Plus has a cellulosic coating that provides reliable protection against welding seam oxidation. The main field of application of this material is manual arc welding of pipes. It also provides a strong bond between low alloy and carbon steels. Experts consider the optimal combination of elongation (28%) and tensile strength (450 MPa). The seam turns out to be even and smooth, with proper preparation of the surface of the parts, pores and cavities are not formed. After the deposited metal has cooled, there is no need to fight with the slag.

Professional welders are satisfied with the quality of the seam, only to achieve a perfect joint it is necessary to remove dirt, moisture and rust from the edges of the parts to be joined. Electrodes win our ranking.

Advantages

• high-quality seam;
• no slag;
• high strength;
• resistance to short-term overheating.

disadvantages

• high price.

'SpetsElektrod' MR-3S

Rating: 4.8

Russian electrodes with cellulose coating 'SpetsElektrod' MR-3S have several advantages. First of all, potential buyers are attracted by an affordable price. Experts pay attention to the possibility of fusing on an unprepared surface. The seam turns out to be even, even if there is moisture on the steel, small dirt and light corrosion deposits. With the help of electrodes, it is possible to carry out welding work in different spatial positions, using direct or alternating current.

The technical parameters of the seam look somewhat more modest in comparison with the winner. Thus, the relative elongation is 25%, the yield point reaches 390 MPa.

Domestic welders are satisfied with the availability of electrodes, their simplicity in work.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• unpretentiousness to surface quality;
• universality of application.

disadvantages

• modest technical parameters.

Best Acid Coated Welding Electrodes

Acid coated electrodes have many advantages. They have several universal qualities, for example, work in direct and alternating current, cladding in any spatial position. There are practically no pores in the weld, even with forced welding modes. The category is headed by a Swedish representative.

ESAB OK 67.71

Rating: 4.8

ESAB OK 67.71 electrodes provide the welder with ample opportunities. Rutile acid coating increases productivity, allows you to join dissimilar steels, providing the necessary joint strength. Swedish consumables have proven to be excellent when welding stainless and low carbon steels with each other. And even alloying additives (cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, tungsten) do not interfere with obtaining a smooth and durable weld. Professionals recommend strictly observing the welding current modes (current 34 A, voltage 80-130 V).

The model wins the rating for economical consumption. It takes about 1.22 kg of electrodes to weld 1 kg of metal. Due to this, it is possible to neutralize the high cost of the material.

Advantages

• wide scope;
• welding of dissimilar steels;
• economical consumption.

disadvantages

• high price.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.