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Welding Electrode Selector

Filter stick welding electrodes by base metal, weld position, power source and priority, then see polarity, penetration and typical amperage by rod diameter.

ELECTRODEPOLARITYPENETRATIONPOSITIONSBEST FOR
TOP PICKAC or DCEPdeepAllFarm and repair work, rusty or painted steel, pipe root passes on AC machines.
AC, DCEP or DCENlightAllLight fabrication, sheet metal, beginners, good-looking beads.
AC or DCEPmediumAllStructural steel, pressure vessels, thick or high-strength steel, code work.
DCEP (DC+)deepAllRoot passes on pipe, dirty or rusty steel, vertical-down.
AC or DCENmediumAllGeneral purpose and poor fit-up gap bridging.
AC, DCEP or DCENmediumAllFaster travel on general fabrication, farm and repair.

E6011: amperage by diameter

High-cellulose potassium coating, 414 MPa (60 ksi) tensile. AC version of E6010. Great on cheap AC buzz boxes.

DIAMETERTYPICAL CURRENT
2.4 mm (3/32″)40-80 A
3.2 mm (1/8″)70-120 A
4.0 mm (5/32″)90-160 A
4.8 mm (3/16″)130-200 A

Typical ranges for flat position. Use the low end for vertical and overhead, and always check the manufacturer's datasheet.

Choosing the right stick welding electrode

Start with the base metal: carbon steel, stainless or cast iron each use different electrode families. Then consider position (E7024 is flat and horizontal only), your power source (E6010 needs DC), and the condition of the metal. Rusty or painted steel favors a deep-penetrating cellulose rod such as E6011, while clean, structural joints call for low-hydrogen E7018.

Reading an AWS electrode classification

In E7018, E means electrode, 70 is 70,000 psi tensile strength, 1 means all positions, and 8 identifies the low-hydrogen coating with AC or DCEP polarity. Stainless classifications such as E308L-16 name the alloy, with the L meaning low carbon.

Storing and handling electrodes

Low-hydrogen electrodes absorb moisture from the air. Keep E7018 in a heated rod oven after opening the container, and re-bake rods that were left out, otherwise hydrogen cracking becomes a risk.

Frequently asked questions

What do the numbers in E7018 mean?

E stands for electrode. The first two digits give the minimum tensile strength in ksi (70 ksi ≈ 482 MPa). The third digit gives the welding positions (1 = all positions, 2 = flat and horizontal). The last digit indicates the coating type and the polarity (8 = low-hydrogen iron powder, AC or DC+).

What is the difference between E6011 and E6013?

E6011 has a cellulose coating and digs deeper, so it is better on rusty, dirty or painted steel and works on AC. E6013 has a rutile coating with a softer arc and better looking beads, so it is better for clean, thin material and beginners.

When should I use E7018?

Use E7018 for structural steel, pressure parts, thick sections and anywhere strength and toughness matter. It is a low-hydrogen rod, so store it dry and re-bake it if it has absorbed moisture.

What polarity should stick electrodes use?

E6010 needs DC electrode positive (DCEP). E6011, E7018 and stainless rods run on AC or DCEP. E6013 and E7014 run on AC, DCEP or DCEN. Check the packaging for the manufacturer's recommendation.

What amperage should I weld at?

Select an electrode above and the table shows the typical range for each diameter. A common starting point is the middle of the range, going lower for vertical and overhead welding.

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