There are two types of Welding Electrodes: gas-shielded and self-shielded. As its name implies, the gas-shielded type of Welding Rods requires an external shielding gas. The self-shielded variety does not. The flux coating on gas shielded flux-cored wires solidifies faster than the molten weld material. Consequently, a sort of shelf is created which holds the molten pool when welding overhead or vertically up. Gas-shielded flux wires work well when welding thicker metals. Cast Tungsten Carbide Tube Welding Rod works well for welding out-of-position applications. Slag removal is easy with this type of wire. Chrome-Molybdenum Welding Electrodes do not require an external shielding gas. With this type of electrode, the weld pool is protected as gas is generated when the flux from the wire is burned. Because Tungsten Carbide Tube Welding Rod Electrode produces its own protective shield and doesn’t require an external gas tank, it is more easily carried about.