Welding with stick electrodes is called Manual Metal Arc
(MMA)welding or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). It is the
oldest and most versatile of the various arc welding processes.
An electric arc is maintained between the end of a coated metal
electrode and the work piece. As molten metal droplets from the
electrode are transferred across the arc and into the molten
weld puddle, they are shielded from the atmosphere by the gases
produced from the decomposition of the flux coating. The molten
slag floats to the top of the weld puddle where it protects the
weld metal from the atmosphere during solidification. The slag
must be removed after depositing each weld run. Hundreds of
different varieties of electrodes are produced, often containing
alloys to add durability, strength and ductility to the weld.
The process is mostly used for ferrous alloys in the structural
steelwork, shipbuilding and general fabrication
industries.Repair and maintenance is another important
application for MMA. Despite the relative sl