What is the difference between the most common stick electrodes?

In electrode welding you will encounter types such as E6010, E6011, E6013, E7016, E7018 and E7024. In addition, special electrodes exist for stainless steel, cast iron, high strength steel and welding.

These electrodes differ not only in strength, but mainly in:

• Upholstery
• Arch Character
• penetration
• slag formation
• Weld position
• Flow type and polarity
• Hydrogen content
• Mechanical properties
• base material

So an E7018 is not simply a better E6013. Both electrodes have been developed for a different kind of work.

The main electrodes in one overview

What do the numbers on an E6013 or E7018 electrode mean?

The AWS classification already tells a lot about the electrode.

Take E7018 as an example.

• E = electrode
• 70 = minimum tensile strength class of approximately 70 ksi
• 1 = suitable for all standard welding positions according to the classification
• 8 = type of upholstery and suitable current/polarity

For additional indications such as E7018-1 H4R, the additional codes provide information on shear strength, diffuseable hydrogen and moisture resistance. Böhler also uses this classification structure in his selection manual.

What does E60 mean to E70?

The first two digits indicate the minimum tensile strength class of the fused weld metal within this AWS classification.

• E60xx → About 60 ksi
• E70xx → About 70 ksi

That doesn't mean you always have to choose E70.

The filler metal must fit:

• base material
• Construction requirements
• WPS
• Toughness
• Weld position
• Hydrogen requirements

What is E6010?

E6010 is a cellulose electrode with a very powerful, deep penetrating arc.

The electrode is usually used on DCEP, electrode positive.

E6010 is known for a digging arc: a sharp arc that cuts deep into the base material.

What do you use E6010 for?

• Pipe welding
• Root welding
• Pipework
• Vertical welding
• Assembly
• Work where deep penetration is desired

ESAB specifically mentions E6010 as an electrode for pipe welding and vertical welding, while Hobart also mentions deep penetration and cellulose coating.

Why is E6010 used so much in pipe welding?

The fast-closing slag and powerful arc give the welder a lot of control over the weld pool.

This makes E6010 suitable for techniques where:

• Root welding is important
• Vertical progress required
• An open root is welded
• Strong penetration desired

Can any electrode welding device be welding E6010?

No.

E6010 sets relatively high demands on the arc characteristic of the power source.

Not every compact inverter can maintain an E6010 arch.

Therefore, check that the manufacturer explicitly mentions support for cellulose electrodes or E6010.

What is E6011?

E6011 is very similar to E6010.

Also E6011 is a cellulose electrode with deep penetration.

The big practical difference is that E6011 can also be used well on AC.

Hobart specifies E6011 as suitable for AC or DCEP and describes penetration as similar to E6010.

What do you use E6011 for?

• Repair
• Agriculture
• Maintenance
• Outdoor work
• Assembly
• Steel that is not perfectly clean
• Machines with AC output

Can E6011 weld over rust or paint?

E6011 can be more tolerant for less clean steel than, for example, a basic E7018.

However, this does not mean that material preparation is not necessary.

Delete where possible:

• Oil
• Fat
• Fat rust
• Paint
• Fluid
• Dirty

An electrode with strong penetration is not a replacement for a well prepared welding seam.

What is the difference between E6010 and E6011?

For an AC transformer, E6011 is often more practical than E6010.

What is E6013?

E6013 is a rutile electrode and probably one of the most famous electrodes for general welding.

The bow is much softer and quieter than with E6010 or E6011.

Hobart describes E6013 as an electrode with a soft, smooth bow, easy snail removal and relatively light penetration.

What do you use E6013 for?

• General steel work
• Hobby
• Repairs
• Thinner material
• Gatework
• Light constructions
• Workshop use

Why is E6013 popular with beginners?

Because the electrode usually:

• Easy to ignite
• A quiet bow has
• Beautiful weld beads can give
• Little aggressive penetration has
• On many simple welding machines works

ESAB also calls E6013 a popular universal choice for novice electrode welders.

Is E6013 suitable for thin steel?

Well, relatively speaking, yes.

Due to the soft arc and less aggressive penetration E6013 can be more comfortable on thin material than a cellulose electrode.

However, stick welding remains less sophisticated for very thin sheet metal work than for example MIG/MAG.

Is E6013 suitable for heavy steel constructions?

Not automatically.

For simple constructions, E6013 can work fine, but critical or certified structural fabrication often requires low-hydrogen electrodes such as E7018.

Hobart explicitly points out that E6013 is not recommended for many critical structural applications, including due to missing required shearing performance for such applications.

What is E7014?

E7014 looks like welding characteristics, but contains more iron powder in the upholstery.

This allows more material to be melted down per unit of time.

Hobart describes E7014 as an iron powder-rutile electrode with higher deposition rate than E6013.

What do you use E7014 for?

• Frames
• Machine frames
• General production work
• Thicker sheet metal work
• Work where a quiet bow and higher melt down are desired

Is E7014 the same as E7018?

No.

Both fall into a 70 ksi class, but the upholstery and application are clearly different.

E7014 is more of a productive rutile/iron powder electrode.

E7018 is an low-hydrogen basic electrode for much heavier and more critical structural fabrication.

What is E7016?

E7016 is a basic coated low-hydrogen electrode.

It is less commonly mentioned than E7018, but is widely used for structural steel and certain pipe and high-quality applications.

For example, ESAB classifys OK 53.05 as E7016 with basic upholstery, while Böhler performs multiple E7016 variants for pipeline and construction applications.

What is the difference between E7016 and E7018?

Both are low-hydrogen electrodes.

The main difference is in the exact coating composition, iron powder content, welding characteristics and classification.

E7018 contains typically iron powder in the low hydrogen coating and is very widely incorporated as a construction electrode.

E7016 is also specifically prescribed in certain markets, pipe applications and WPS's.

What is E7018?

E7018 is one of the most important electrodes for professional steel construction work.

It is an low-hydrogen base electrode with iron powder in the upholstery.

Hobart describes E7018 as low hydrogen, medium penetration and suitable for AC or DCEP, depending on the exact product.

What do you use E7018 for?

• Steel structures
• Heavy structural fabrication
• Shipbuilding
• Mechanical engineering
• Pressure-bearing work where prescribed
• Heavy Repair
• Critical welding compounds
• Work with hydrogen and toughness requirements

Why is E7018 so popular in steel construction?

Because E7018 can offer a good combination of:

• Low amount of diffuser hydrogen
• Good mechanical properties
• Good toughness
• Fairly high deposition rate
• Quiet bow
• Good weldability in multiple positions

Therefore, E7018 is a common choice for professional steel constructions.

What does low hydrogen mean?

Hydrogen in weld metal can contribute to hydrogen cracks in sensitive steels, also known as cold cracks.

Low hydrogen electrodes have been developed to reduce the amount of diffuseable hydrogen in the weld metal.

That advantage will only be retained if the electrodes are stored correctly.

Why should E7018 be stored dry?

The upholstery can absorb moisture.

This can increase the amount of hydrogen released during welding.

For critical applications, E7018 electrodes are therefore often from:

• Vacuum packaging
• Drying cabinet
• Electrode furnace

used as prescribed by the manufacturer.

In its storage advice, ESAB clearly distinguishes low-hydrogen electrodes such as E7016/E7018 and cellulose or rutile electrodes.

Can wet E7018 electrodes simply be dried?

Sometimes redrying may be possible according to the manufacturer's instructions.

However, never use any random oven temperature.

The correct temperature and time depend on:

• Electrode
• Manufacturer
• Upholstery
• Fluid load
• Approvals

Therefore, always follow the product datasheet.

What do H4 and H8 mean at E7018?

These indications refer to the maximum classified level of diffuseable hydrogen in the fused weld metal.

A lower H-number means a stricter hydrogen class.

For example, he uses E7018 H4R and E7018-1 H4 classifications in his current range.

What does R mean at E7018 H4R?

The R indicates additional requirements for reduced moisture absorption of the coating in AWS classification.

This does not mean that the electrode can remain in damp air indefinitely.

What is E7024?

E7024 is an iron powder-rich electrode that is mainly developed for very high deposition rate.

Hobart describes E7024 as a high-speed electrode for flat welding and horizontal hoe classes.

What do you use E7024 for?

• Long How-Classes
• Flat welding
• Horizontal welding
• Production work
• Heavy sheet metal work
• Work where a lot of weld metal has to be applied quickly

Why is E7024 also called a drag electrode?

Due to the thick coating and the iron powder, the electrode can almost be dragged onto the workpiece with suitable welding.

As a result, a very high deposition rate can be achieved.

Is E7024 suitable for vertical or upper hand?

Not in the usual classification.

E7024 is mainly intended for flat and horizontal positions.

Choose E6013 or E7018?

Choose E6011 or E6013?

Choose E6011 or E7018?

Use E6011 especially when you need an aggressive, deep penetrating electrode for repair, assembly or less ideally prepared work.

Use E7018 especially when low hydrogen, mechanical properties and constructive reliability are important.

Which electrode is best for beginners?

For ordinary steelwork, E6013 is often the easiest start.

The soft bow and simple ignition make this electrode pleasant to learn the basics of MMA welding.

That doesn't mean that E6013 is the best electrode for every project.

Which electrode is best for heavy structural fabrication?

For many professional structural fabrication E7018 is a very important standard electrode.

When an WPS or standard prescribes a different classification, it is of course leading.

Which electrode is best for old and rusty steel?

E6011 can be more tolerant to light surface contamination than E6013 or E7018 due to its powerful cellulose arc.

But also for E6011:

As clean as possible welding remains better.

What electrode do you use for pipe welding?

For pipe welding, depending on procedure, the following are used:

• E6010
• E7010
• E7016
• E7018
• Other specialised pipe electrodes

E6010 is best known for root and pipeline work due to its deep penetration and fast clotting welding bath.

What are stainless steel electrodes?

stainless steel electrodes are coated electrodes whose weld metal is alloyed to stainless steel.

The main species are similar to the well-known stainless steel welding wire classifications.

• E308L-16
• E309L-16
• E316L-16
• E347-16
• Duplex electrodes
• Special repair electrodes

What is E308L-16?

E308L-16 is a common austenitic stainless steel electrode for 304/304L-like materials.

For example, ESAB specifies its OK 308L as E308L-16 for 19Cr10Ni type stainless steel.

What do you use E308L-16 for?

• AISI 304
• AISI 304L
• 18/8 stainless steel
• General austenitic stainless steel structures

What is E316L-16?

E316L-16 is intended for many 316/316L-like Cr-Ni-Mo-stainless steel species.

The molybdenum in this alloy family helps to better connect corrosion properties to 316-base material.

What is E309L-16?

E309L-16 contains more chromium and nickel and is widely used for uneven compounds.

An important application is:

stainless steel to ordinary steel welding.

ESAB mentions E309L-16 for connections between carbon steel and stainless steel and for first layers at clading.

Which stainless steel electrode do you use for stainless steel steel?

For many normal connections between austenitic stainless steel and carbon steel, E309L-16 is a widely used choice.

For special alloys, another electrode may be needed.

What does -16 mean for stainless steel electrodes?

The suffix -16 provides information about the upholstery and usage characteristic.

Böhler describes -16 and -17 as rutile types of use with bogstabilizing elements where AC may be possible, while -15 is a basic DCEP type.

What are cast iron electrodes?

cast iron often requires a completely different filler metal than ordinary structural steel.

Common cast iron electrodes therefore contain nickel.

• ENi-CI
• ENiFe-CI
• Other specialised cast iron alloys

What is ENi-CI?

ENi-CI is a high- nickel electrode for cast iron.

AWS A5.15 specifies ENi-CI with a very high nickel content. For this class Hobart mentions at least about 85% Ni in the weld metal.

What do you use ENi-CI for?

This electrode is widely used when:

• Gray cast iron repairing
• Good spruce is desired
• Relatively soft welds are desired
• Machinal post-processing required

What is ENiFe-CI?

ENiFe-CI is a nickel-iron cast iron electrode.

It contains less nickel and more iron than ENi-CI.

For ENiFe-CI, Hobart indicates a nickel range of approximately 45 to 60% within AWS A5.15.

What do you use ENiFe-CI for?

• Heavy duty cast iron repairs
• Nodular cast iron depending on procedure
• cast iron of steel in certain applications
• Connections where more strength is required
• Thicker castings

Choose ENi-CI or ENiFe-CI?

The exact choice largely depends on the type of cast iron and the repair method.

Can cast iron be welded with E6013?

Sometimes you can see repairs done with ordinary steel electrodes, but that does not make E6013 a generally suitable cast iron electrode.

cast iron has a high carbon content and is sensitive to:

• Hard zones
• Tearing
• Tensions
• Frostness

In serious repairs, use an filler metal and procedure that matches the cast iron.

Should cast iron be preheated?

That depends on:

• Type cast iron
• Size of the component
• Electrode
• Repair method
• heat input
• Geometry

Some repairs are preheated, others consciously with a cold welding technology and very short welding.

Follow the electrode supplier's procedure.

What's a readout electrode?

A welding electrode, also called hard-facing electrode, is not primarily intended to connect two components.

The goal is to apply a new surface layer that is more resistant to wear.

What do you use welding electrodes for?

• Digging troughs
• Teeth
• Breakers
• Agricultural machinery
• Rolls
• Axes
• Transport rollers
• Knives
• Wearing plates
• Machinery parts

Are all the readout electrodes the same?

Absolutely not.

The alloy is chosen according to the type of wear and tear.

What types of wear and tear exist?

• Abrasion by sand, stone or minerals
• Impact / impact load
• Metal-to-metal wear
• High temperature
• Corrosive wear
• Combinations of these

Is the hardest readout electrode always the best?

No.

An extremely hard layer can be very good against abrasion but it is brittle at heavy impact load.

A slightly softer and tougher layer can last much longer.

So don't just choose the highest HRC number.

What does HRC mean for welding electrodes?

HRC refers to Rockwell C hardness.

The higher the number, the harder the material is usually.

But wear resistance is not just hardness.

What's a buffer layer?

For hardfacing, a tough intermediate layer is sometimes applied to the base material.

On top of that comes the hard wear layer.

This may help to:

• Reduce tears
• Tensions to catch
• Different alloys to combine
• Better support the hard end layer

Which electrodes do you use for high strength steel?

For high strength steel there are special low hydrogen electrodes with higher classifications than E7018.

Examples may vary depending on the application:

• E8018
• E9018
• E10018
• Other low-alloy electrodes

These must be deliberately tuned to the base material and the WPS.

Is E8018 just better than E7018?

No.

E8018 belongs to a higher tensile strength class.

On a normal structural steel a too strong filler metal can even be undesirable.

Overmatching is not always technically beneficial.

Which electrode do you use for Corten / weatherproof steel?

For resilient steel, specific alloy electrodes exist to support mechanical properties and weather resistance.

For less critical compounds, depending on base material and procedure, a standard construction electrode can sometimes be used, but for visible or certified weatherproof structures the correct alloy must be chosen.

Which electrode do you use for spring steel or tool steel?

Do not use E7018 or stainless steel 312 automatically.

These steels may:

• High carbon content
• Strong hardness
• Tear sensitivity
• Need pre-warming
• Require specific filler metal

Material identification is essential here.

Which electrode diameter should you choose?

Common diameters are:

• 1.6 mm
• 2.0 mm
• 2.5 mm
• 3.2 mm
• 4.0 mm
• 5.0 mm
• 6.0 mm for heavier applications

What diameter is suitable for a small machine?

For compact 160 to 200 A machines are mainly:

• 2.0 mm
• 2.5 mm
• 3.2 mm

common sizes.

A 4.0 mm electrode explicitly requires more power and can bring a small machine to its power limit faster.

How many amps does an electrode need?

There is no universal ampere value only based on diameter.

The catchment area also depends on:

• Electrode Type
• Upholstery
• Position
• Polarity
• Manufacturer

Therefore, always use the water catchment area on the package or datasheet.

Can the same 3.2 mm E6013 and E7018 be welded to the same current rating?

The water catchment areas may overlap, but are not automatically identical.

Upholstery, arc character and manufacturer also determine the optimal welding range.

What polarity should you use?

This varies by electrode.

The product datasheet is always leading.

What happens at wrong polarity?

The electrode can still burn sometimes, but the welding characteristics can deteriorate significantly.

• Bad bow
• Lots of splashes
• Bad penetration
• Difficult to ignite
• Bad slag
• Incorrect welding form

Which electrode do you choose for an old AC welding transformer?

First check the open-clamp voltage and manufacturer data.

Many traditional AC machines work pleasantly with:

• E6013
• E6011
• Certain E7014
• E7018 AC, provided the electrode is suitable for this purpose

E6010 is usually not a logical choice for a standard AC transformer.

Which electrode do you choose for a modern inverter?

A modern DC inverter can usually handle a wide range of electrodes.

But check with cellulose electrodes such as E6010 to see if the machine delivers adequate arc characteristic.

What are Hot Start and Arc Force doing?

Hot Start briefly increases the current when igniting to reduce sticking.

Arc Force dynamically increases the current when the arc becomes very short.

Especially for electrodes with a powerful arc, a well adjustable Arc Force can be useful.

Which electrode should you buy for hobby use?

For general steelwork, E6013 is often the most accessible choice.

• Easy to ignite
• Quiet bow
• Broadly available
• Suitable for many simple repairs
• Works on many AC and DC machines

For heavier structural fabrication you can also consider E7018, provided you perform the storage and processing correctly.

Buying advice for agriculture and repair

For repair outside or less perfectly prepared steel E6011 can be interesting.

For clean heavy construction steel, E7018 is often more attractive.

Many repair companies therefore have multiple types in stock.

Buying advice for steel construction

For professional structural fabrication, E7018 is one of the most important electrodes to know.

Always check for certified work:

• WPS
• Material
• Hydrogen class
• Burst stroke class
• Storage conditions
• Approvals

Buying advice for thin material

For thinner material, a small E6013 is often one of the better MMA options.

However, with very thin sheet metal work MIG/MAG or TIG is usually better adjustable.

Buying advice for pipe welding

For professional pipe welding you do not choose an electrode based on convenience only.

Depending on the procedure, cellulose or low hydrogen electrodes can be used.

• E6010 for certain roots/pipelines
• E7016 for certain root and filling passes
• E7018 for certain filling and deck fitting

Buying advice for stainless steel

Start with the base material.

• 304/304L → common E308L-16
• 316/316L → common E316L-16
• stainless steel to steel → common E309L-16

Don't just use an stainless steel electrode because it's loaded everywhere.

Buying advice for cast iron

For cast iron the material type is particularly important.

As a general choice help:

• ENi-CI → high nickel content, often good spruceability
• ENiFe-CI → Nickel-iron, often stronger and suitable for heavier repair work

In addition, check whether the repair is to be carried out cold or with pre-warming.

Purchase advice for welding

First determine what kind of wear the part has.

Don't just ask:

How hard is the electrode?

But:

• Is there a lot of sand or rock?
• Is there a big impact?
• Does metal rub against metal?
• Is the part getting hot?
• Is corrosion present?

Only then will you choose the hard-facing alloy.

Which electrodes are useful to have in stock as a general workshop?

For a workshop with a variety of repairs, a basic practical stock may include:

• E6013 in 2,5 and 3,2 mm
• E7018 in 2,5 and 3,2 mm
• E6011 when much outdoor/repair work occurs
• E308L-16 for general 304-stainless steel
• E309L-16 for stainless steel steel
• A suitable cast iron electrode
• An application-oriented welding electrode if many consumables are repaired

Which electrode is the most universal?

There is no such thing as a universal electrode.

For simple general steel work, E6013 is closest to a practical all-rounder.

E7018 is much more relevant for professional construction steel.

For outdoor repair, E6011 can fit better.

From Cjays practice

The number is often only looked at in the case of electrodes:

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's not how it works.

An E6013 can be much more comfortable on a small repair job, while an E7018 is the more logical choice for a critical steel construction.

And an E6011 can do the right work on old repair steel that makes an E7018 much less happy.

We would therefore always base the choice on:

• base material
• Thickness
• Weld position
• Desired penetration
• Mechanical requirements
• welding machine
• Flow type
• Polarity
• Storage possibilities
• WPS if present

For a novice welder who is at home carrying normal steel, a box of E6013 is often much more logical than buying a package of specialist electrodes directly.

For a company that repairs or manufactures steel structures, E7018 becomes much more important.

And for stainless steel, cast iron or consumables, you need to stop thinking completely in the ordinary steel electrode.

Quick selection help

Step plan to buy the right electrode

• Determine the base material.
• Check the material thickness.
• Determine the welding position.
• Check which mechanical strength is required.
• Check any WPS.
• Determine whether low hydrogen is required.
• Check AC or DC of the machine.
• Check the polarity.
• Choose the right electrode diameter.
• Check the recommended ampere range.
• Check storage and drying regulations.
• Buy the electrode after that.

The main conclusion

The most common welding electrodes each have their own strong point.

• E6010: deep cellulose arc, pipe welding and roots.
• E6011: deep penetration and practical on AC, repair and assembly.
• E6013: soft rutile arch, general work and beginners.
• E7014: productive rutile/iron powder electrode.
• E7016: basic low-hydrogen electrode for constructive work.
• E7018: low-hydrogen construction electrode for many professional and critical steel work.
• E7024: very high melts down in flat and horizontal positions.
• E308L-16: many 304/304L-stainless steel.
• E316L-16: many 316/316L-stainless steel.
• E309L-16: many stainless steel-to-steel connections.
• ENi-CI / ENiFe-CI: cast iron.
• Hardfacing: Wear-resistant welding.

The right electrode is not the one with the highest number, but the one whose strength, upholstery, welding position, polarity and alloy fit your material and application.

Further reading

• What is the difference between SG1, SG2 and SG3 welding wire?
• What is the difference between the most common stainless steel welding wires?

Frequently asked questions about welding electrodes

What's the best electrode for beginners?

E6013 is often one of the simplest electrodes to start with for general steel work.

What is the difference between E6011 and E6013?

E6011 has an aggressive cellulose arch with deeper penetration. E6013 has a softer rutile arch and is more comfortable for light and general work.

What is the difference between E6013 and E7018?

E6013 is a rutile general electrode. E7018 is an low-hydrogen basic construction electrode with higher minimum tensile strength class and stricter storage requirements.

Which electrode do you use for old or rusty steel?

E6011 may be more tolerant to light surface contamination, but the steel should still be cleaned as well as possible.

Which electrode do you use for structural steel?

E7018 is a very common choice, but the WPS and construction standard are leading.

Which electrode do you use for stainless steel 304?

E308L-16 is a widely used choice for 304/304L-like stainless steel species.

Which electrode do you use for stainless steel on ordinary steel?

E309L-16 is a widely used choice for many normal stainless steel carbon steel compounds.

Which electrode do you use for cast iron?

Common types are ENi-CI and ENiFe-CI. The correct choice depends on the type of cast iron and the repair.

Which electrode do you use for welding?

That depends on the wear mechanism. Choose a specific hardfaced electrode for abrasion, impact, metal-to-metal or a combination thereof.

Should E7018 be in an oven?

In the case of professional or critical use, the electrode shall be treated according to the manufacturer's storage and drying requirements. Low hydrogen electrodes clearly require more moisture control than for example E6013.

Can E7018 at AC?

Many E7018 products are suitable for AC and DCEP, but not every version or machine combination is the same. Check the manufacturer's data sheet.

Can E6010 at AC?

Not normally. E6010 is typically used on DCEP. E6011 is the cellulose variant that is also widely used on AC.

Which electrode gives the deepest penetration?

E6010 and E6011 are known for their powerful, deep penetrating cellulose arch.

Which electrode gives the highest deposition rate?

E7024 is specially developed for high melting rates in flat and horizontal welding.

Which stick electrode should you buy?

For general steel work, E6013 is often the easiest choice, while E7018 becomes much more important in professional structural fabrication. E6011 and E6010 have clear advantages when deep penetration and a powerful cellulose arc are required. For stainless steel, cast iron and welding, specific alloy electrodes are required.

Cjays Lastechniek can help to choose the right stick electrode based on base material, material thickness, welding position, electrode diameter, power source and application.