Storage Conditions and Care of Cored Wire Electrodes
General
For critical applications where strict hydrogen control is required, it is recommended that the product be ordered in hermetically sealed packaging (vacuum-pack) to ensure a low moisture designation is maintained.
Humid environment exposure to products packaged in cardboard box/plastic bag and drums shall be minimized.
Storage
Product in the original packaging, cardboard box/plastic bag or drums should be stored in a clean, free from dirt and oil, dry location away from the environmental elements (rain, snow, etc.).
Acceptable storage conditions are:
60 – 80F (16 – 27C), 60% relative humidity or less
80 – 100F (27 – 38C), 50% relative humidity or less
Products in the hermetically sealed condition (vacuum-pack) shall be stored in a clean location protected from the elements and are not required to be stored in the controlled conditions above if the packaging is maintained in the sealed, unopened state.
Metal cored and solid wire products exhibit less of a propensity to absorb moisture where the cardboard box/plastic bag storage condition is sufficient to ensure the product integrity when stored in normal “shop” conditions. Yet, it is still best practice and recommended that these products be stored in a clean, free from dirt and oil, dry location away from the environmental elements (rain, snow, etc.).
Handling
Product that has been removed from its original packaging should be returned to its original packaging when not in use and stored per the conditions noted above (Storage).
Product that has been removed from its original packaging may pick up moisture if left exposed to high levels of humidity for one day or longer. This moisture pickup will increase weld metal diffusible hydrogen levels. It can also cause the formation of porosity, increased spatter level and worm tracking.
Spools with hydrogen designators shall be limited to 72 hours or less exposure to normal “shop” conditions outside of protective packaging and less than 2 weeks for all other non-hydrogen designator product. Metal cored and solid wires are the exception when hydrogen designators are included, where 2 weeks opened in the general “shop” condition is acceptable.
Drums can be exposed to normal “shop” conditions for 2 weeks or less if properly stored with original lid when not in use.
Reconditioning
Product that has picked up moisture can be partially reconditioned by baking in an oven. Fiber spools, wire frame spools and coils without liners should be baked for 8-10 hours at 220-250F. Product on plastic spools should not be placed in an oven.
Products that have been partially reconditioned once already and/or that have been damaged by moisture and exhibit rust contamination on the wire surface shall be discarded.
Storage and Handling Recommendations for ARCFLUX Submerged Arc Welding Flux
General
A welding consumables optimal performance can only be achieved when the storage and handling recommendations have been followed.
As a result of carefully selected raw materials and optimized manufacturing conditions, the ARCFLUX fluxes have
guaranteed as–delivered low moisture content from the factory that is valid for both agglomerated and fused fluxes. Commonly, the fluxes are delivered in vacuum-packed, specially coated PE Aluminum bags, containing 33 to 66 lb (15 to 30 kg) of flux. All flux packages are normally supplied on wooden pallets with a net weight up to 2756 lb (1250 kg); pallets are shrink-wrapped with plastic foils before shipment from the factory.
To maintain the as–delivered low moisture content and overall performance as long as possible, storage and handling of the flux must be done according to the following recommendations below.
Storage
A common rule for stocking/storage purposes is: first–in, first–out, separating flux types and flux lot numbers. The flux shall be protected against exposure to the elements. At a minimum, unopened, originally packed flux shall be kept in a suitable dry storage environment that is properly maintained and controlled as follows:
- • Welding flux shall be stored in their original sealed and undamaged packaging.
- • The environment shall be clean and dry.
- • Direct exposure to sunlight shall be avoided.
- • Do not stack full or open pallets to avoid damage to individual packaging.
- • Avoid direct contact between consumables packaging with floor and walls.
- • Welding flux shall be stored in frost free condition, measures shall be taken to avoid temperatures
- below the dew point and extreme temperature fluctuations.
- • Storage temperature shall be 50 – 85°F (10 – 30°C).
- • Relative Humidity shall be kept as low as possible, not exceeding 70 %.
Agglomerated fluxes stored under the above conditions have a shelf life of 1 year and fused fluxes a shelf life of 3 years after date of delivery from the factory. Fluxes in their unopened original sealed package stored longer than the above shall be visually inspected for product damage and a weld performance test carried out to ensure the flux performs suitably prior to use.
When handled and stored as mentioned above, ARCFLUX–fluxes can normally be used directly out of an unopened vacuum sealed bag. For critical applications and optimum hydrogen control, or as specified by the applicable material, fabrication or client specification, re-drying of the flux is recommended. Re-drying shall be performed as follows:
Recommended re-drying conditions
| Flus Name | Flux Type | Temperature °F (°C) | Time hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| BF-8.7, BF-10MW | Fluoride Basic (FB) | 575 – 660 (300 – 350) | 2 – 10 |
| BF-3.5, BF-5.1, BF-38 | Aluminate Basic (AB) | 575 – 660 (300 – 350) | 2 – 10 |
| BF-1 | Aluminate Rutile (AR) | 300 – 390 (150 – 200) | 2 – 10 |
| WP-380 | Calcium Silicate (CS) | 300 – 480 (150 – 250) | 2 – 10 |
During flux re-drying, oven ventilation is required and local over heated areas are to be avoid. If static drying is applied, flux height on the oven’s tray is limited to a maximum of 2” (50 mm).
Flux can be re-dried several times; however, the total drying time shall not exceed 10 hours.
Re-dried flux that is not immediately used should be kept at 300 ± 25 °F (150 ± 25 °C) before actual use. For cleaning or collecting non–fused flux, only proper wire–brushes should be used to avoid flux contamination.
ARCFLUX PEAL Bags (PE-coated Aluminum Bags)
Agglomerated flux packed into PEAL Bags can be stored for up to one year and can be used without re-drying.
After opening the bag, the flux should be filled directly into the hopper system of the welding machine. After
homogenization, the effective flux temperature should be 300 ± 25 °F (150 ± 25 °C). Remaining flux from opened bags must also be kept at 300 ± 25 °F (150 ± 25 °C) before use.
Dry and oil free air shall be used on flux extraction and circulation systems to avoid moisture pick-up.
Recycling Fluxes
The addition of new flux to the recovered flux quantity shall be done according to the actual flux consumption to maintain almost the original grain size. Commonly the ratio is at least 1 part of new flux to 3 parts of recovered flux. Grain size spectra: 50% of the flux particles should be above 0,5 mm and 100% of flux should be smaller than 2,2 mm. Foreign material such as mill scale, dross or other impurities from plate surfaces or preparation etc. and uncrushed flux–slag from the welding process should be removed by adequate recovery devices such as e.g., sieves or dust–separators. At no time should excess flux that has not been picked up by the flux recovery system and fallen directly onto the shop floor be used as recovered flux. Flux recovery systems shall be suitably maintained (cleaned) to ensure there is no excess buildup of fines within the system which can impact flux feed-ability and welding performance.
Wire Electrodes
Refer to Select-Arc Inc., Storage Conditions and Care of Cored Wire Electrodes document for proper recommendations.