AristoRod is fairly new product development from Esab which is patented to them.

The unique feature is the absence of the traditional copper coating and in its place is the patented Esab surface coating which is meant to enhance ease of wire feeding and reduce spatter (see more below). Copper coatings do lead to the majority of problems associated with Mig welding as it is this stuff that comes off as a copper dust and eventually blocks liners and guide tubes. It is there to ensure a good electrical pick up as the wire goes through the contact tip, nothing to do with rust prevention, and if the Esab coating can do this just as well or better then it probably is a good move to remove the copper coating. 

Real world experience is that there is a detectable difference and for high volume users it seems to work. There is a slight premium to pay.

OK AristoRod™ 12.50 is a bare Mn-Si-alloyed G3Si1/ER70S-6 solid wire for the GMAW of non-alloyed steels, as used in general construction, automotive components, pressure vessel fabrication and shipbuilding. OK AristoRod™ 12.50 is treated with ESAB’s unique Advanced Surface Characteristics (ASC) technology, taking MAG welding operations to new levels of performance and all-round efficiency, especially in robotic and mechanised welding. Characteristic features include excellent start properties; trouble-free feeding at high wire speeds and lengthy feed distances; a very stable arc at high welding currents; extremely low levels of spatter; low fume emission; reduced contact tip wear and improved protection against corrosion of the wire. 

1.2mm Diameter wire is supplied on an adaptorless 18Kg wire basket.

Classifications	Approvals	Typical all weld metal composition, %	Typical mech. properties all weld metal
SFA/AWS A5.18 ER70S-6 EN ISO 14341-A G3Si1 JIS Z 3312 YGW 12 (C1), JQCN09005 (valid for items	ABS 3YSA BV SA3YM CWB CSA W48 DB 42.039.29 DNV III YMS GL 3YS LR 3YS VdTÜV 10052 PRS 3YS CE EN 13479 RS 3YMS	C 0,1 Si 0,9 Mn 1,5 Wire composition	Yield stress, MPa 470 Tensile strength, MPa 560 Elongation, % 26 Elongation, % 26 Charpy V Test temps, °C Impact values, J +20 130 -20 90 -30 70

Diameter, mm	0,8	0,9	1,0	1,2	1,4	1,6
Arc voltage, V	18-24	18-26	18-32	18-35	22-36	28-38
Welding current, A	60-200	70-250	80-300	120-380	150-420	225-550
H. Kg weld metal/hour arc time		-	-	-	-	-
Wire feed, m/min	3,2-10	3,0-12	2,7-15	2,5-15	2,3-12	2,3-15
Deposition rate kg weld metal/hour	0,8-2,5	0,8-3,3	1,0-5,5	1,3-8,0	1,6-8,7	2,1-11,4