Rutile Electrodes

Rutile is a mineral that consists of about 90% titanium dioxide (TiO2) and is present in C & C-Mn steel rutile electrodes at typically ~50%.
Characteristics of rutile electrodes are:

1. They have a very smooth and stable arc and produce a relatively thin slag covering that is easy to remove
2. They give a smooth weld profile
3. They are regarded as the most ‘user-friendly’ of the various electrode types
4. They have relatively high ‘combined moisture’ content and because they contain typically up to ~10% cellulose they cannot be baked and consequently they do not give a low H weld deposit
5. Because of the risk of cracking they are not designed for welding of high strength or thick section steel (although electrodes are manufactured in classes E60xx, E70xx, E80xx the E60xx grade is by far the most commonly used)
6. They do not give high toughness at low temperatures (typically only down to about -20ºC)

The above listed characteristics mean that this type of electrode is used for general-purpose fabrication of unalloyed, low strength steels in relatively thin sections (typically ≤ ~13mm).
Rutile ElectrodeVariants
By adding iron powder to the covering a range of thick-coated electrodes have been produced in order to enhance productivity.
Such electrodes give weld deposits that weigh between ~135 and 190% of their core wire weight and so referred to as ‘high recovery’ electrodes, or more specifically for example ‘ a 170% recovery electrode’.
The weld deposit from such electrodes can be relatively large and fluid and this restricts welding to the flat position and for standing fillets for electrodes with the highest recovery rates.
In all other respects these electrodes have the characteristics listed for standard rutile electrodes.