Welding materials mainly include welding electrodes, welding wires, fluxes, etc. The quality of their storage and management directly affects the reliability of the welding process and the safety of the structure. Improper management can lead to moisture absorption, oxidation, or mixing of materials, resulting in welding defects. Therefore, it is essential to establish a systematic management system covering the entire process from warehousing, issuance, drying, to pre-use inspection.

These primarily include welding electrodes (such as acidic and basic electrodes), welding wires (solid and flux-cored), and fluxes (fused and sintered). Different welding materials have significantly different requirements for storage conditions and drying.

The preservability of welding materials is mainly influenced by environmental humidity, temperature, packaging integrity, and storage duration. Especially basic electrodes (low-hydrogen type) and fluxes have strong hygroscopicity. Once damp, they can easily cause hydrogen-induced cracks in welds. Thus, moisture prevention is the core of management.

Quality documentation must be verified before warehousing. Welding materials for critical structures should undergo re-inspection and be approved before storage. The warehouse should be well-ventilated and dry, with a recommended temperature of 10–25°C and relative humidity below 60%. Materials must be stored elevated, at least 300mm off the ground and 300mm away from walls. They should be arranged by category, grade, batch, and storage time with clear identification. For flux storage, the ambient relative humidity should be controlled below 50%, and the "first-in, first-out" principle must be followed. Non-conforming or pending-inspection materials must be isolated to prevent misuse.

When issuing materials, verify the grade and specification and maintain records. Electrodes should be used from insulated containers as needed. Low-hydrogen electrodes exposed at room temperature for more than 4 hours generally require re-drying. Fluxes also need dedicated containers on-site to prevent moisture absorption. Materials of different grades must not be mixed during drying or storage. Welding wire packaging should remain sealed until use; partially used wires must be resealed or returned to a dry environment promptly.

Before use, electrodes should be checked for a valid certificate of quality. If stored for an extended period or suspected of moisture absorption, process performance tests should be conducted. Electrodes with rust or peeling coating should generally be scrapped. Flux must be dried before use to remove moisture. During drying, spread it evenly not exceeding 50mm in thickness. Temperature and time must be strictly followed according to the flux type (e.g., HJ431: 300–350°C for 2 hours). Reference technical tables for common flux drying parameters; after drying, the moisture content by mass should be ≤0.05%.

Standardized management of welding materials not only ensures welding quality but also reduces waste and costs. Enterprises should develop and implement systematic procedures for the storage and use of welding materials based on standards and actual conditions, particularly strengthening moisture prevention and drying measures during high-humidity seasons or outdoor operations.