Electric arc welding with stick electrodes is one of the oldest and most versatile welding processes. It is also considered as one of the simplest and safest methods. An electric arc is generated between the stick electrode and the base material. In shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or manual metal arc welding (MMA) using coated stick electrodes, the coating forms a protective gas shield and a slag, thereby protecting the transferred metal droplets and the weld metal against contact with atmospheric oxygen