Welding electrodes are conductive rods or wires, either consumable or non-consumable, used to create an electric arc during welding. This arc generates the heat needed to melt and fuse metals, joining them together. Consumable electrodes melt and contribute filler metal to the weld, while non-consumable electrodes do not melt but conduct electricity.
Elaboration:
Consumable Electrodes:
These electrodes melt as they are used, providing filler material to the weld. Examples include stick welding electrodes used in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and MIG welding wires used in gas metal arc welding (GMAW).
Non-Consumable Electrodes:
These electrodes, like tungsten electrodes used in tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding,