I'm not sure what the composition is on the Arc-time electrodes, but that's about all my welders will use now.
http://www.arc-zone.com/catalog/web_...=3581713_11539 http://www.arc-zone.com/MSDS/MSDS_arctime_cream.pdf
We have also used the miller ceriated electrodes and they work well too. I am now aware of any downside to the inverters. Less power, smaller, lighter, more control, etc. I guess they do make a little more noise.
Rob