Welding electrode can be coated or uncoated
The etymology of electrode takes us to the English language, more precisely to the word electrode . In the composition of the term the prefix electro- (which alludes to electricity ) and the Greek word hodós (translatable as "way" ) appear.
driver end
The end of an electrical conductor that receives an electric current from a medium or transfers it to it is called an electrode. Electrodes come into contact with electrolytes , semiconductors , gases and other non-metallic elements.
The electrodes are located in electrochemical cells . They can be anodes ( positive electrodes , where an oxidation reaction takes place and a loss of electrons occurs) or cathodes ( negative electrodes , where a reduction reaction is recorded and a gain of electrons is generated). Depending on the voltage applied to the cell, an electrode acts as either a cathode or an anode.
Secondary cells are those in which the reaction can be reversed, as in the case of a rechargeable battery. In primary cells , however, the reaction cannot be reversed, which means that the electrodes do not modify their identity (that is, the cathodes and anodes are fixed).
welding electrode
Welding electrodes , meanwhile, are metal rods that can be coated with different materials . They are usually used to produce an electric arc in the process known as arc welding . Its manufacture is carried out with ferrous or non-ferrous metals, and the electrode can also be made of coated or uncoated metal.
Let's start with the coated metal one. This electrode has a metal core and is coated with chemical substances throughout almost its entire length, except for one of its ends , which is used for fixation in the electrode holder. Its core is essential when welding, and its composition is different according to the material of the objects. The coating can direct the arc through uniform and balanced fusion, create protective gases against oxygen or prevent the metal from cooling suddenly, among other functions.
The uncoated electrode, on the other hand, is a laminated wire that can only be used in welding tasks that have a protection so that oxygen and nitrogen do not penetrate . In these cases, helium, argon or other inert gases are usually used. It is worth mentioning that this option stands out for the quality of the process in almost any type of metal, including stainless steel, nickel, copper, aluminum and carbon steel. Its results are very homogeneous and resistant .
Muscle electrostimulation
It should be noted that electrodes are also used in muscle electrostimulation . This technique consists of using electrodes on the body to cause a contraction of the muscles, since they act in a similar way to the impulses sent by the central nervous system when controlling muscle action. This simulates physical training, activating muscle fibers.
A passive exercise device with electrodes
It is usually used in the field of aesthetics as part of weight loss treatments. However, it is important to mention that its results are usually not satisfactory if the patient does not complement electrostimulation with a balanced diet and physical exercise. The use of electrodes in this type of procedures is part of what is called passive exercise .
One thing that advertisements for passive exercise devices do not mention is that the electrodes allow the work of one muscle group at a time, and that to achieve the results they usually promise it is necessary to work many of them. On the other hand, it does exceed the number of fibers it stimulates in each muscle compared to active exercise.