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Self-removing welding slag

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Stan in Oly, WA

11-09-2006 08:44:15




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In stick welding, the slag on in-position work that's done at the right heat setting and/or speed will sometimes lift off the weld by itself with 6013, 7014, 7018, 7024, and undoubtedly others of the many electrodes I've never used. I was told by a well informed and very experienced welding professional that this is the surest indication that the weld temperature is set right. I have also been authoritatively informed that as an operator gains experience and expertise, welds can be made more quickly with the same size rod by turning up the heat and moving faster.

I have a few questions.
1. Is it really evidence of a good weld---or at least the right temperature---when the slag lifts off by itself?
2. Can this condition be achieved at different temperature (amperage) settings by running faster or slower?
3. If I'm welding flat with 7018 and the slag comes off in a single long piece at the slightest touch when it cools, how is that weld different from one where the slag cover is stuck so tight it has to be pulverized with a chipping hammer, wire-brushed vigorously, and still has some flakes that have to be knocked off one at a time?
4. Can the self-lifting slag condition be achieved in vertical-up (or down) welding?

Thanks, Stan

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135 Fan

11-09-2006 12:38:15




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-09-2006 08:44:15  
Interesting question Stan. In most cases it is an excellent indicator of the heat being in the ball park. On a good machine 7024 all most always lifts off. A proper weld needs 4 basic things: Distance or arc length, speed of travel, angle of electrode and proper heat. However on a rod like 7024 you can be too hot and have the slag come off. You will notice blisters in the weld. 7018 is the hardest of the rods to get the slag to peel off. In deep groove welds, you can have a perfect weld and still need to use an air chipper to clean it out. Not all people weld with the same heat and their welds are equally good. Usually when the work piece is hotter, the slag will self peel more. Having hot rods right out of the oven will make a big difference too. If the slag doesn't come off doesn't mean the weld is any poorer. If any one of the 4 basic guide lines is a little off or the steel is dirty or something like that can cause the slag to stick. Yes a faster travel speed with more amps can peel slag the same as slightly less amps and slower travel speed. It is easy to get slag to self peel welding vertical up. With any rod other than 6010 or 6011, you should always try to go up. Downhand has low penetration. If you are doing a vertical up fillet weld [Tee joint] it is hard to get the first pass to self peel. Sometimes it needs a little effort to clean. As you put more passes the slag will peel off as the weld gets flatter. Vertical up welding is weaved side to side in an effort to create a shelf for the next weave to sit on. I think it would be possible to have slag peel off in any position but it has to be a flat weld with no notches or grooves for the slag to grab. Since you're a practical type of person, you should try an experiment. Take a couple of pieces of 3/8 or 1/2 inch flat bar and make a tee joint. Set it flat on a table and put a fillet weld in using 7018. Then do the other side. See if the slag comes off easier. Cover that pass with two more: bottom and top to make a bigger fillet. See if it's easier. Do it with three passes now and don't even clean any slag at all. Weld as normal and the finished weld should be way smoother than had you chipped the slag. Try warming the rods before welding and see if they weld nicer and the slag comes off easier. Make another tee joint and try it vertical. The first pass will be the hardest to clean. You always have to clean slag between passes when welding vertical though. If the slag doesn't fall right off, you can usually just hook the edge of it with the next rod and it comes off. I hope this answers your questions. Generally it is a good idea to weld with as much heat as you can handle for the position and material. If the slag self peels and the weld looks good, it probably is. 6010 or 6011 don't self peel but are easy to clean. Usually if you have to really work at getting the slag off their is a lot of spatter or the current was too low or you got arc blow on a DC machine at higher amps. Better machines will peel slag because they are so much smoother and easier to weld with. Dave

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Mike M

11-09-2006 11:35:00




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-09-2006 08:44:15  
I think there is some truth to that. Of course different (high) quality welding rods can make a big difference too. That 7024 used to be my favorite rod ! Only works flat though,but can make a good welder out of anyone. Kinda hard to find around here anymore so I buy 7018. I have to use the DC welder. They say the ac-dc type rod will work ac,but I can't get it to weld right it gets porous.



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Allan In NE

11-09-2006 11:24:28




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-09-2006 08:44:15  
Think somebody is jackin' with ya, Stan.

Allan



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Stan in Oly, WA

11-10-2006 12:35:58




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to Allan In NE, 11-09-2006 11:24:28  
Hi Allen,

Why would you think that? Is it that when someone gives you well intentioned but mistaken advice, you consider that they are "jackin' with ya"? Or were you just kidding? I can't quite figure out where you're coming from.

All the best, Stan



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old

11-09-2006 09:12:47




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-09-2006 08:44:15  
Slag come off by its self doesn't say much if any thing about a weld. A lot of it just depends on where the weld is as far as slag falling off. Its also hard to tell if a weld is go or bad just by looking at it. One way to have a good idea if its a good weld is look at the metal from the back side. If you can see where the weld is from the back side then you know you have a pretty good weld because you have good penatration of the metal.

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135 Fan

11-09-2006 12:48:31




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 Re: Self-removing welding slag in reply to old, 11-09-2006 09:12:47  
Not all welds can be seen from the back side. You are right about when you can see the backside though. A perfect weld such as on pipe has more than 100% penetration and actually looks like a small weld was done on the back side. It wasn't and that's why pipe welders get paid so much. Too much penetration will fail a weld as well. Welding takes a lot of practice to get really good at. And then they come out with new machines and procedures to learn all over again. Dave

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