Electric arc welding (using welding electrode) – it is one of the oldest processes for joining metals and used all over the world. It is generally known as MMA (manual metal arc welding). Electric arc welding with welding electrode is still indispensable in steel and pipeline construction and can be used under all weather conditions. Today, around 25 to 30% of the world’s welded products are produced with this process.

In arc welding, an electrode is used to conduct current through a workpiece to fuse two pieces together. Depending upon the process, the electrode is either consumable, in the case of gas metal arc welding or shielded metal arc welding, or non-consumable, such as in gas tungsten arc welding. For a direct current system, the weld rod or stick may be a cathode for a filling type weld or an anode for other welding processes. For an alternating current arc welder, the welding electrode would not be considered an anode or cathode.