ELECTRODE Storage and Drying Control Procedure

1. Scope
Defining the responsibilities and procedures for the storage, drying, issue and return
of all welding materials for the Project.
2. Application
This procedure establishes the methods used by the Company to ensure that welding
materials are properly stored, issued and returned.
3. Definitions
The welding terms used in this procedure will be interpreted in accordance with the
definitions given in the latest edition for welding terms and definition of EN/ASME.
4. Control Method
4.1 Storage and Drying
4.1.1 All welding materials will be stored in their original containers until taken to
the field. Cellulose-coated electrodes should be kept apart from lowhydrogen basic electrodes. If possible, the packs of electrodes should be
taken out of storage in the sequence in which they were received.
4.1.2 Storage and drying conditions for welding electrodes are in accordance with
Fig.1 for low-hydrogen electrodes, and Fig.2 for cellulose-coated electrodes
.And Rutile.
4.1.3 Low-hydrogen basic electrodes should be re-dried before use (1st re-drying
cycle) in the baking oven at 350 C, for about 3 hours (not needed for
Vacum Pac). When the electrodes are initially placed in the baking oven,
the temperature should not be greater than half the re-drying temperature
(170 C). The electrodes should be held at that temperature for hour
before heating the electrode to the final temperature. The re-drying time is
measured from the point at which the re-drying temperature has been
reached (350 C). Do not stack more than four layers of electrodes in the
baking oven. Cellulose electrodes must not be re-dried.

4.1.4 Re-drying electrodes will be placed in the holding oven (Fig.1) at a steady
temperature of approximately 150 C. This intermediate storage is aimed at
avoiding moisture pick-up in the coating of low-hydrogen electrodes.
Storage in the holding oven (Fig.1) should not exceed 10 days maximum
total holding time.
4.1.5 The remaining basic electrodes from the field should be re-dried at 300 C
for about 2 hours, in accordance with Clause 4.1.3. The total number of redrying cycles will be limited to three (3) cycles, as outlined by Fig.1. If, by
mistake, during the re-drying process, the time exceeds 10 hours, the basic
electrodes will be discarded.
4.1.6 Electrodes which remain unused after the 3rd re-drying cycle will be
discarded.
4.1.7 Basic electrodes, having a low-hydrogen coating, will be taken out and held
in heated quivers, which are kept at about 100 C. Only sufficient electrodes
will be given to welders, i.e. in quantities that may be consumed within the
same working day. Remaining basic electrodes will be returned first to the
holding oven (Fig.1), and then to the baking oven in accordance with Clause
4.1.5.
4.1.8 For cellulose-coated electrodes, exposure to air moisture and excessive
differences in temperature should be avoided. Open packs of cellulose
electrodes should be returned to the store and kept up to the next day in the
holding oven (Fig.2) at a temperature of 40 to 50 C (Fig.2).
4.1.9 The store operator should check the baking and holding oven temperatures
at the start and finish of each day, as well as the number of re-drying cycles
for basic welding electrodes.
The number of re-drying cycles shall be controlled by paint-marking the
stud-end of returned electrodes as follows:
1. 2nd re-drying cycle white paint on electrode stub-end.
2. 3rd re-drying cycle red paint on electrode stub-end.

4.2 Issue from the Store

4.2.1 At the beginning of each day, the welding foreman will select the size, type
and quantities of consumables required according to applicable weld
procedures. He will ensure that welders are issued with the correct size, type
and quantities in accordance with the applicable welding procedure
specification.
4.2.2 Welders should be supplied with electrodes in quantities that may be
consumed within the same working day.
4.2.3 The welding foreman will ensure that the low-hydrogen electrodes to be
used are removed from the holding oven (Fig.1) and placed directly into the
welders heated quivers.
4.2.4 The welders will plug the quivers up on arrival at the welding location, as
soon as the generators are turned on. The quivers will be set at a constant
temperature of approximately 100 C. The quivers cover should be
constantly closed during welding.
4.3 Return to Store
4.3.1 At the end of each day, the welding foreman will ensure that all the unused
low-hydrogen electrodes are returned to the store. All low-hydrogen
electrodes will be re-dried in accordance with Clause 4.1.5. Electrodes
should not be left into the quivers at night.
4.3.2 At the end of each day, the welding foreman will ensure that all unused
cellulose electrodes are returned to the store and placed in the holding oven
(Fig.2), in accordance with Clause 4.1.8, until required for production.
4.3.3 The welding foreman should examine all returned and unused welding basic
and cellulose electrodes to make sure that any wet or damaged items are
discarded. Different types of electrodes should not be placed in the same
shelf.

4.4 Inspection
4.4.1 All electrodes whose coating is damaged or tainted with grease, oil, moisture
or paint should be discarded by the welding foreman and welders.
4.4.2 The Quality Control Department will periodically check the site for
compliance with the requirements of this procedure. Site management will
be informed in writing of audit results, including any deficiencies found. A
non-conformity report will be issued if procedures are not followed.

Approved by Q.C. Manager:

Date:

BACCHINI LUCIANO

Receiving Welding Foreman:

Date: