Otherwise, the consumables can be subjected to excessive hydrogen pick-up from different substances in their environment.

General issues to consider in this respect are that:

  • The consumables are to be stored and kept away from contaminants. Examples of these are dampness, oil and grease.
  • Opened packages of consumables for MMA welding and fluxes for SAW often need to be stored at elevated temperatures. The reason is to avoid excessive hydrogen pick-up from the humidity in the air. This is normally done by keeping them in small furnaces especially designed for consumables. Unopened packages can normally be stored at room temperature.
  • Unopened and opened packages of solid wires and cored wires can normally be stored at room temperature. The cause is that they have a relatively high resistance for moisture pick-up.