Which quality is most important for a welding electrode used in high-temperature applications?

For high-temperature applications, the most crucial quality of a welding electrode is its resistance to thermal degradation. High temperatures can lead to significant changes in material properties, potentially causing the electrode to lose functionality, become brittle, or degrade faster than expected. An electrode that resists thermal degradation maintains its integrity and performance, ensuring that welds produced are strong, durable, and reliable under extreme conditions.

The other qualities listed, while important in some contexts, do not directly address the challenges posed by high-temperature environments as effectively. For instance, while the melting point is significant in preventing the electrode from melting away during the welding process, it does not consider the degradation over time due to thermal cycling. Electrical conductivity is essential for the efficiency of the welding process but doesn't relate directly to how well the electrode will hold up in a high-temperature setting. Flexibility, though helpful in some welding scenarios, is less relevant in applications that prioritize the ability to withstand heat without degradation.