Welders: Can 7018 welding rods be rebaked (dried) in a home oven at 500 degrees for an hour? Why or why not?

Question

I've heard that 7018 rods should be used within 4 hours of opening. I have a tube that has been opened for longer than that and probably exposed to the atmosphere for longer. I don't have a rod oven, but my "home oven" goes up to 500 degrees and I've read that 500 degrees for an hour will do the trick. I am concerned about fumes from the flux, but other than that I see no reason why I should not be able to "rebake" these rods in my home oven.

Please list any sources you find or know of.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Answer 1

Preheating rods dries them and minimizes cracking and stress risers during welding. I don't see why you couldn't use a home oven for this, although you do raise a good point about fumes.

500 degrees is 500 degrees; the rods don't know what kind of oven you are putting them in. As for the 4 hours shelf life, there may be some oxide that builds up on these rods, but I think this would have a minimal effect.

You mainly want the rods to super dry so that you do not cause hydrogen embrittlement in the steel as you weld. The flux / shielding gas are supposed to help you with this, but better safe than cutting a weldment apart and trying again.

Answer 2

Welding Rod Oven

Answer 3

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RE:
Welders: Can 7018 welding rods be rebaked (dried) in a home oven at 500 degrees for an hour? Why or why not?
I've heard that 7018 rods should be used within 4 hours of opening. I have a tube that has been opened for longer than that and probably exposed to the atmosphere for longer. I don't have a rod oven, but my "home oven" goes up to 500 degrees and I've read that 500 degrees...

Answer 4

7018: low-hydrogen, low penetration welds.

The low moisture make-up of this welding rod reduces chemical reactions in the weld itself and makes for the highest quality x-ray perfect welds. (Note - this electrode must be kept dry. If it's exposed to humid air or gets damp it must be dried in a rod oven before use.

Store (opened boxes) 250-450 F. Holding oven 150-200 F. Recondition oven temp 500-600 F for one hour ... not to exceed four hours in the oven, or to be reconditioned more than three times.

Major problem is that a home oven may or may not have even heat distribution. Secondary issue is possible hydrogen embrittlement from having a reactive (oxygen containing) atmosphere in the oven during the recondition process).

Answer 5

7018 welding electrodes are of low hydrogen flux quality.

The flux is dry relatively than 6013 or relevant. being dry the electrodes contain the quality to absorb moisture, which may damage the weld.

The electrodes may loose its (rather the flux) characteristics by overheating. do no worry about fumes. it will not come.

if the electrodes are 6 months old and open, do not use them for quality welding.

This was the introduction for your question , the answer follows.

1. you can use the oven , but bake the electrodes at 300 degree Centigrade for 1 hour and then after keep the temp, constant for 50 deg cent.

2. Do not bake the electrodes more that 3 times , this may make the electrodes useless for welding.

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Answer 6

Consider the amount of stress you are going to be putting on that steel frame. You might find it cheaper to bring it to a shop that does welding and have them weld it for you (much cheaper than buying a welder, and probably cheaper or the same as renting one). And besides if you are not experienced at welding you will find it rather difficult to do the job right and to make it look good. Most machine shops do a little welding on the side very reasonably.

Answer 7

Rod Oven