Welding is considered one of the most reliable ways to connect steel parts. There are several methods for performing this work using various brands of electrodes.
Home craftsmen prefer to use manual arc welding technology and E42 electrodes. Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, this type is in great demand. Information on the technical characteristics of the E42 electrodes is contained in the article.
Acquaintance
Electrodes E42 (GOST No. 9466, 9467) are metal rods equipped with a special coating. During welding, they are used as auxiliary filler materials.
In today's market, the range of these products is quite wide. The consumer can purchase E42 electrodes with a diameter of 1.6 mm, 2-3 mm and 4-6 mm. Standard sizes of accessories vary between 250-400 mm. The length of the E42 electrodes with a diameter of 4 mm can reach 450 mm.
Abbreviation
The necessary information on the filler material can be obtained from its marking:
- The letter "E" indicates that these electrodes are intended only for electric arc welding. The filler material can be used for both manual and automatic modes.
- The designation "42" indicates that the deposited material has a strength of 420 MPa.
Destination
E42 electrodes are used to work with parts made of carbon steel. Products are used both by home craftsmen and professional welders in repair shops and in many industries to create compounds of reduced responsibility. Welding work can be carried out in almost any spatial position. An exception is vertical top-down welding. This is due to the fact that the deposition created by these electrodes is not able to withstand large loads. Therefore, it is undesirable to use E42 electrodes to connect those steel parts that are subjected to constant pressure of high weight.
Chemical composition
The following chemical elements are used in the production of E42 electrodes:
- Carbon. Its content in the filler material does not exceed 0.12%.
- Manganese - 0.7%.
- Silicon - 0.3%.
- Sulfur - 0.03%.
- Phosphorus - 0.03%.
Specifications
E42 electrodes have the following properties:
- The tensile strength to break is 420 MPa.
- “Surfacing” - 10 g / Ah.
- The size of the rod does not exceed 400 mm. E42 electrodes with a diameter of 4 mm and 6 mm can have a length of 450 mm.
- Welding is carried out at a temperature from - 20 to +20 degrees.
- Consumption: 1 kg of auxiliary material per 1.6 kg of surfacing.
- The seam has an impact strength of 150 J / cm. sq. at a temperature of +20 degrees. Viscosity at –40 degrees is 35 J. / cm. sq.
- The elongation of the seam does not exceed 22%.
Product Features
- Electrodes of this type, despite their overall dimensions, have constant chemical composition, physical properties and mechanical characteristics. Carrying out welding work with the same material, the master can use filler material of various lengths. This will not affect the quality of the connection.
- Judging by consumer reviews, the slag crust formed as a result of crystallization of the seam is easy to remove.
- If all the rules of welding technology are followed, then the weld is characterized by uniformity: micropores and voids are absent in it.
- The seam has strength and ductility.
- The welding process using these electrodes is quite simple. During operation, there is no spreading of the hot deposited material on the surface and strong spraying of hot metal. Therefore, even an unprofessional welder can use electrodes of this type.
- When using E42, many consumers noted the rapid ignition of the arc, which is characterized by stability.
- By means of electrodes E42 it is possible to connect rusty and wet metals.
- The quality of welding does not depend on the length of the arc and voltage drops. The source can be either alternating or direct current. In the latter case, the reverse polarity is used by the welders.
Some consumers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to use electrodes of type E42 to connect parts from stainless steel? According to experienced welders, for high-quality welding of stainless steel products, it is necessary to use only those filler materials, which are characterized by a proportional content of chromium and nickel. Electrodes of type E42 in this case will not work. The resulting seam will have reduced mechanical properties and undergo corrosion processes. As a result, such welding will be pointless.
Analogs of electrodes E42
If necessary, these products can be replaced with similar ones. The main thing is that for new electrodes the chemical composition of the welded wire is close to E42. For welding wires of these electrodes, Sv-08 and Sv-08A grades are provided. E42 can be used to combine carbon and low carbon steels. The welds formed are characterized by high viscosity and ductility. These electrodes are mainly used when it is necessary to form a weld with a temporary tensile strength of up to 50 kg / mm. sq.
If higher weld metal values are required, the welder should use a different type of electrode. Widespread use of additive material ANO-6. These electrodes are equipped with a rutile coating. Their working diameters vary between 4-6 mm. Using this brand, the edges of the connected steel products can not be cleaned. For work, a short or medium arc is provided. When welding fillet welds, the master should hold the electrode at an angle of 50 degrees. The use of ANO-6 ensures the absence of mini-pores and cracks in the seams. Also for E42, you can pick up other analogues. One of them is the electrodes E42A. The tensile strength of these products is 412 MPa.
Also, depending on the tasks performed, the welder can use the following brands of electrodes of type E42:
- "Twinkle". Using these electrodes, steel products are connected, the thickness of which is from 1 to 3 mm. In addition, Spark electrodes can be used for top-down welding.
- ANO-6M. Welding work is carried out due to a short or medium arc. Spraying is minimized.
- "ANO-17." These electrodes are designed to connect thick metals. Their use is characterized by the formation of long welds.
- "WCC-4". This brand is used for welding with the pipeline.
- "WCC-4M". With the help of these products joints of pipelines are processed.
- OZS-23. With their help, you can perform welding work in steel structures having a small thickness. Electrodes have low toxicity.
- OMA-2. The welder applies an elongated arc. Using these electrodes, sheer steel structures can be welded, the thickness of which varies between 0.8-3 mm. This filler material is characterized by low penetration ability. Welding work with OMA-2 is carried out on an oxidized surface.
Swedish filler materials OK-4600, OK-4332, OK Pipeweld-6010 are considered very high-quality analogues of electrodes of type E42.
Manufacturers
In Russia, these electrodes are manufactured at the SpetsElektrod enterprise in Moscow and the Ural Electronic Plant. Electrodes are also imported from Sweden, the USA and Japan.
Finally
Additive materials like E42 possess universal technical characteristics. These electrodes are very popular with beginners and specialists performing welding work of any degree of complexity.