What's going on here?

[Arclikeharrypotter]

So I've that with a certain electrode I've been getting really strange looking welds, very chrome looking, but they look bubbly, as is they are full of porosity. I've cut them, grinded into them and can't find any.

I've tried a number of different angles, amperage, positions and all the same. When welding I can see the slag seems to freeze very fast at certain points almost going lumpy. Here's a few pics see what you guys make of it.

 

[123hotchef]

what sticks are they?

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Bohler Phoenix blau 6013.
No arc blow, parent material pretty clean. Used them a lot and I always thought it was nearly impossible to not put down a beautiful weld with them.

 

[123hotchef]

are they the ones in the pink box?

how aol are they where have they been stored

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Yes pink ones, I've kept them in an air tight holder. But I'm almost thinking that they need a little moisture?

 

[123hotchef]

no moisture

 

[123hotchef]

i use those rods not had any problems with them looks like something is not right like arc length or travel speed or amps I am not expert though

 

[8ob]

Polarity change?

Bob

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Only tried on dc+.
I'm thinking it's something with the electrodes as I tried many different Amperage, positions.
Then ran some 7016, 7018, 8018 and a few different 6013 and all looked nice.

 

[123hotchef]

try drying them out in the oven then try them again

 

[Brad93]

Bad batch of rods I would say.
First try baking them to check there is no moisture. If no joy try leaving them out for a few days to take a little moisture in.
If nothing else, bin them.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

I've used half packet with no problems and then all of a sudden go to turd. I'll throw a handful in the oven, and somehow try to introduce some moisture to a few others. Weirdly they are the electrode that I store the best, rest are just dumped open!

 

[123hotchef]

always the way

 

[Bill Edwards]

It might not be the rods.

I had exactly this from some Phoenix Blau which I opened and of course thought it was the rods. Tried some different rods and it was still happening with certain joints/conditions. I haven't found out why but I don't believe it to be the rods. The weld actually appears sound aside from the appearance - though of course it's not something I'd be happy to see on anything critical.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Same electrodes, thicker steel plate and they are running as normal, the seemed to almost suck back at the parent material at the end of the run on 4mm plate.

 

[123hotchef]

could be the metal u was welding

 

[WorkshopChris]

Polarity change?

Only tried on dc+.

Just had a look at this data sheet at bottom of page>
http://www.hgcodedwelding.com/welding-consumables/phoenix-blau-electrodes-e6031-1
From that i read it as recommended DC electrode negative or AC.
Might be worth a try.
Most of the listings for this rod say good gap filling, that's normally a indication of a faster setting slag.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Well I tried both polarity and still the same problem. I tried on a few pieces of thinner section steel and only improved when I got a thicker piece. The big pinhole at the end was the parent material being sucked into the weld. Illngrab some thinner sections and have a play again when I'm next in the garage and update.

 

[Brad93]

Bin them

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

They didn't run half bad once I was welding on slightly thicker material, but anything 4mm and under they were sucking material back at the end, and general appearance was poor,