Hobart Brothers (www.hobartbrothers.com) has introduced the Hobart 418 (AWS E7018-1 H4R), stick electrode for general purpose, low-hydrogen welding applications.

The company said the electrode provides excellent arc starts and restarts, produces a nearly spatter-free arc and creates a flat weld bead profile with a fine rippled finished appearance. To minimize post-weld cleaning, the Hobart 418 produces an easily removable slag that in many cases is self-peeling.

The electrode provides good penetration and a weld puddle that washes into the sidewalls with no undercutting, both benefits that minimize costly rework. It also has the ability to weld smoothly on moderately dirty or rusty materials.

Due to its low moisture-absorbing characteristics, the electrode is a good choice for conditions of high heat and humidity. It has high impact resistant properties at temperatures as low as -50F, resulting in its AWS E7018-1 designation.

The Hobart 418 electrode is available in 10-lb and 50-lb hermetically sealed cans and 5-lb and 10-lb plastic re-sealable containers.