The effect of wollastonite on operational characteristics of AWS E6013 electrodes

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to assess the operational behavior of ANSI/AWS A5.1-91 E6013 type electrodes when 0, 8 and 16 % of quartz (100 % SiO2) is replaced with wollastonite (Calcium Silicate, 50 % SiO 2 - 50 % CaO) in the coating composition. The electrodes were tested through bead-on-plate welds in flat position on DC, both polarities, and on AC currents. Arc stability, fusion rate and deposition rate were used as operational characteristics evaluation criteria. The results suggested that the replacement of quartz with wollastonite, that increased slag basicity, kept, or even improved, the typical excellent operational characteristics of E6013 type electrodes.