7018 AC Rods

[GarryinNC]

I have a 5lb box of 7018 AC rods that have been sitting on the shelf in the shop for a few years. Is the flux on them sensitive to moisture? Do they need to be heated and dried some before use? I am just wanting to try some on some scrap for practice right now anyway.

Thanks,
Garry
 

[Ultradog MN]

Not a big deal. Just go ahead and use them.
If you are real worried about moisture throw a half pound in the oven for half an hour at 350 degrees or so and that will dry out any moisture.
Myself i would just use it.
If you are making Xray quality welds it is a different story. Very few of us here are that good of welders anyway.
 

[mark. d]

They'll still work but they'll probably be some pretty slaggy, porous welds. Drying couldn't hurt but not sure how much it will help.

I like 7014 better, doesn't need to be kept dry.
 

[Puddles]

Here is a link to another site, where a very good looking guy did some testing with 7018 that has never seen a rod oven.
Cold 7018 broke at 18-blows.
Hot 7018 right out of the oven broke at 23-blows.
7014 broke at 10-blows.
6013 broke at 3-blows.


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211904-7018-break-test.html
 

[36 Coupe]

Lots of 7018 gets throw away by experts.I use them for every day welding.Friend and I stopped at a trash day pile.He got a chain saw,I found a 50 pound can of 7018.About 2 pounds had been used.At another pile I got a 5 hp outboard and gas tank,a 100 foot #12 wire extension cord and a big stainless stock pot that had been run too hot.I use the pot to clean parts.The cord had a bad outlet, cost 80 cents to fix.
 

[Jon Hagen]

Yes, flux on a 7018 AC will absorb moisture. Either heat the entire pack in an over for 1/2 to an hour, or if you just need one rod for an emergency, "stick" the rod on scrap metal for about 5 seconds with the welder set on atleast 125 amps. In a few seconds the metal electrode will be very hot and will dry the flux in about 15 seconds.

If you need to weld with 7018, we found that on DC, 7018 AC rods weld much easier than conventional 7018 rods.
 

[DaveK(IN)]

I just finished my first welding project and used 7018 rods that had been sitting on a shelf in the barn for at least 15 years. Seemed to work just fine. Got the rods way before I got the welder.
 

[Dusty MI]

[old]

I have a number of types of rod out in my shop. All of it is stored in the open so yes they can absorb moisture out of the air. All I do is take and stick the rod so it gets warm before I use it to weld with and I have yet to ever have any problems