ESAB introduces OK Goldrox 7018, a premium low-hydrogen Stick electrode that offers good arc starts, easier restrikes, better arc stability, lower spatter and a fast-freezing slag that provides more control for welding out of position. Excellent slag detachability makes post-weld cleaning easier.
“Compared to our Atom Arc 7018 electrodes, which are preferred by those who favor a strong arc, OK Goldrox appeals to welders who favor softer arc characteristics,” says Kaar Valluvan, Director of Product Marketing at ESAB. “Professional, newer and occasional welders will find that OK Goldrox 7018 provides easier puddle manipulation, a wider operating range and easier restrikes.”
Welders can experience these arc characteristics for themselves during hands-on welding demonstrations in booth W3801 at FABTECH, October 15 – 17 in Orlando, Florida. ESAB welding power sources available for Stick welding demonstrations include the battery-powered Renegade VOLT™, Rogue and Rebel™ series.
Premium Performance
Intended for the U.S. market, OK Goldrox 7018 is available in diameters of 1/8 in., 3/32 in., and 5/32 in. (14-in. lengths) and comes in 10-lb. plastic tubes or 50-lb. cans. Applications include power generation, structural steel, offshore, pressure vessel fabrication, petrochemical industry, food processing and other industries where the prevention of cold cracking or porosity is crucial.
OK Goldrox 7018 is classified as AWS E7018-1 H4R, indicating less than 4 ml of diffusible hydrogen per 100 g of deposited weld. Designed for moisture resistance, H4R electrodes also have less than 0.4 percent moisture absorption after 12 hours of exposure at 80 oF and 80% percent relative humidity. The -1 designation indicates Charpy V-Notch properties measured at lower temperatures. OK Goldrox provides as-welded impact values of 110 ft.-lbs. at -50 oF and 150 ft.-lb. at -20 oF. OK Goldrox 7018 also carries the following approvals: ABS 4Y (H5)/AWS A5.1: E7018-1 H4R, and CWB CSA W48 E4918-1-H4.
ESAB 7018 Lines
The introduction of OK Goldrox 7018 compliments ESAB’s existing lines of low-hydrogen electrodes. OK Goldrox 7018 and ESAB Atom Arc® are made from domestic steel cores at ESAB’s Hanover Penn., facility, and meets “Buy America” requirements. ESAB 7018-1 Prime (E7018-1H4 R) features a graphite coating on the end of the electrode to improve arc initiation. This electrode also comes in 2 kg VacPac vacuum-sealed packages, which guarantees fresh electrodes upon opening, making it especially suitable for jobsite conditions or smaller projects. Sureweld 7018 is a general purpose, easy-to-use basic electrode with good mechanical properties for welding of mild steels.