Abstract: The droplet transfer characteristics and its influence factors of typical stainless steel electrodes are studied with experimental methods including collecting droplet into water,surfacing on the plate and analyzing by high speed camera etc.The results show that the electrode has the best comprehensive usability as the droplet transfer exponent optimizes and the flux-wall guided transfer form occurs.The SiO₂ in coating can play the most important part in fining droplet.The droplet will become fine when coating thickness and welding current increase,but it is restricted by usability of electrode.The silicon reducing reaction in the droplet stage benefits droplets fining,but it is limited by maximum admitted silicon content.The basicity,constituents and content of welding slag have a certain influence upon the transitional characteristics of droplets too.The concept of droplet essential mass ratio and permissible increasing silicon content of electrode is proposed.