Cut and etch tests are very useful for both the rods/materials and the operator. It tells you so much about what is really going on. It would be interesting to see this using some of the common rods. Other types of joints would be also good to see.
From what I've heard, the positive side gets hotter than the negative side, that's why you always have the tungsten on the negative side when Tig welding. So I would have thought you get better penetration with negative electrode , and a faster melting electrode (and therefore a higher bead)with positive Electrode, but as we've seen there is almost no difference...
You are correct. From what I read the electrons striking the tip of the rod on DCEP puts most of the heat into the rod tip. With tig the tungsten would melt because of the heat input, so DCEN is used (except on AC for aluminum, which is still mostly DCEN). I was a bit surprised by the results of my small scale testing. The difference between EN and EP was very little, and AC being clearly less. All the books I have specifically mention DCEN stick having more penetration at the expense of the cleaning action of the arc (DCEP). Yet I know guys that stick weld sheet metal claim to run DCEN without issue. I have also read that because DCEP heats the rod up more it produces a hotter “globular” metal transfer which flattens beads and provides more penetration. I think I will do some actual fillet weld tests dcen vs ep and see if there is a difference. One limiting factor is that most rods won’t run DCEN so for common 7018 you don’t really have a choice.
I am going to have to give ac a shot on my next sheet metal stick repair. It seems to penetrate less than dc, and (like you said) arc blow won’t be a issue. Great tip 👍
My lincoln stick welder only says AC, DC-,DC+ ? Does it not have the dcep or dcen your talking about? I dont know much about welding other than inherited my dads machine thank you to whoever can anwser
If it has AC and also mentions DC- and DC+ you have a welder that’s capable of welding both ac and dc. To run conventional rods on DC, pick DC+ since most rods run on DCEP (direct current electrode positive). A/c has little benefit for most rods and I personally never weld on A/c unless I have to.
Cut and etch tests are very useful for both the rods/materials and the operator. It tells you so much about what is really going on. It would be interesting to see this using some of the common rods. Other types of joints would be also good to see.
Within a week I should have a big comparison video out comparing all readily available conventional rods, keep a eye out for it 😀
Thanks I am learning so much..
From what I've heard, the positive side gets hotter than the negative side, that's why you always have the tungsten on the negative side when Tig welding.
So I would have thought you get better penetration with negative electrode , and a faster melting electrode (and therefore a higher bead)with positive Electrode, but as we've seen there is almost no difference...
You are correct. From what I read the electrons striking the tip of the rod on DCEP puts most of the heat into the rod tip. With tig the tungsten would melt because of the heat input, so DCEN is used (except on AC for aluminum, which is still mostly DCEN).
I was a bit surprised by the results of my small scale testing. The difference between EN and EP was very little, and AC being clearly less. All the books I have specifically mention DCEN stick having more penetration at the expense of the cleaning action of the arc (DCEP). Yet I know guys that stick weld sheet metal claim to run DCEN without issue. I have also read that because DCEP heats the rod up more it produces a hotter “globular” metal transfer which flattens beads and provides more penetration.
I think I will do some actual fillet weld tests dcen vs ep and see if there is a difference. One limiting factor is that most rods won’t run DCEN so for common 7018 you don’t really have a choice.
AC is best for 6013 on thinner materials with corner joints which experience arc blow.
I am going to have to give ac a shot on my next sheet metal stick repair. It seems to penetrate less than dc, and (like you said) arc blow won’t be a issue. Great tip 👍
Sometimes, electrodes running on AC can penetrate and spatter like MAG.
My lincoln stick welder only says AC, DC-,DC+ ? Does it not have the dcep or dcen your talking about? I dont know much about welding other than inherited my dads machine thank you to whoever can anwser
If it has AC and also mentions DC- and DC+ you have a welder that’s capable of welding both ac and dc. To run conventional rods on DC, pick DC+ since most rods run on DCEP (direct current electrode positive). A/c has little benefit for most rods and I personally never weld on A/c unless I have to.
Can weld test be passed by running ac?
A/C current limits penetration with stick, so any strength test that favors higher penetration will see a drop running A/C over dc.
AC is good for tacking when you use magnets, because the magnetic field disrupt your DC arc alot