What are the two main chemical components of a welding rod?

• A. Iron and cellulose
• B. Iron and zinc
• C. Iron and nickel
• D. Steel and flux

Answer: (A)

In a welding rod used for shielded metal arc welding, the electrode has two main parts: a metal core and a flux coating. The metal core, typically iron or steel, provides the material that becomes the weld. The flux coating melts as the rod heats, forming a protective slag and shielding gas that keep the weld clean and free from contamination, while also contributing deoxidizers and sometimes alloying elements. The binder (such as cellulose) is just part of the flux formulation to hold the coating together, not one of the two primary components. So the best description is iron (the core) and flux (the coating).