Rapid Ref : A18085

ESAB OK AristoRod 12.50, Premium A18 MIG Wire, 5Kg Reel, ER70S-6
A18085

Name: ESAB OK AristoRod 12.50, Premium A18 MIG Wire, 5Kg Reel, ER70S-6
SKU: A18085

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Prices From £20.77 ex VAT

The non-copper coated OK AristoRod 12.50 is a manganese-silicon alloyed solid wire for GMAW of unalloyed steels, such as general structural, pressure vessel, ship-building and for fine-grained carbon-manganese steels for the same purpose with a minimum yield strength of max 420MPa. The electrode can be welded with Ar/20CO2 or with pure CO2 as the shielding gas. The Aristo Rod wires are suitable for operating at high currents with maintained disturbance-free wire feeding giving a stable arc with a low amount of spatter.

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A18 Mig Wire 5kg FAQs

Practical answers on choosing, using and storing A18 copper-coated mild steel MIG wire on 5kg reels.

Should I use CO2 or an argon/CO2 mix with A18 wire?

Wires of this class are normally run on either straight CO2 or an argon-rich mix with CO2, and the maker's data sheet lists the gases it is classified for. Straight CO2 tends to give deeper penetration but a harsher arc and more spatter. Argon-rich mixes usually give a smoother arc and a neater bead, and are generally kinder on thinner material.

The argon/CO2 ratio matters too, as different mixes give different arc behaviour and spatter levels. If you change gas, expect to adjust voltage and wire speed, and follow your welder's settings chart.

How do I avoid porosity when welding with A18 wire?

The most common cause of porosity is poor shielding of the weld pool, where gas flow is restricted, turbulent or too low. Check the flow setting, hoses and gun for leaks, that the nozzle is free of spatter, and that draughts are not blowing the gas away. Keeping the wire stick-out short also helps.

Clean oil, grease, rust, paint, mill scale and moisture off the joint, and keep the wire clean and dry. Replace any wet or contaminated gas cylinder, and do not rely on the wire's deoxidisers alone to prevent porosity.

Can A18 wire weld over rust or mill scale?

Wires with extra silicon and manganese deoxidisers are often described as more forgiving of light surface oxide than lower-deoxidiser wires, but the tolerance is limited and varies between wires. Maker guidance is that rust or mill scale on the base metal increases both spatter and the risk of porosity.

For good results, grind or brush the joint clean first, and for structural or code work follow the preparation requirements in your welding procedure. Check the wire data sheet for what the maker says about surface condition.

Which wire diameter should I choose?

Match the diameter to the metal thickness and to your welder's output range. Finer wire such as 0.6 to 0.8 mm suits thin sheet and lighter welders. Around 0.8 to 0.9 mm is a common choice for light fabrication, and heavier sections on higher-powered machines commonly use 1.0 to 1.2 mm.

Guidance varies between sources, so treat these ranges as a starting point. Your welder's manual and settings chart, and the wire data sheet, give the range for each size. Fit the drive rolls, liner and contact tip to the wire diameter you choose.

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