Types of Welding Electrodes

There are a lot of choices when it comes to choosing the proper welding electrode for the job.
The difference between the proper welding rod, and the wrong one can be as small as slightly
more difficult arc starts or it can weaken the weld. Here is a chart of the different types of
electrodes, the numbers designated to them, their specifications and the proper uses for them.
6010: Deep penetration with a smooth arc and low spatter. Ideal for use on farm and road
equipment, tanks, piping, wrought iron, building structures, jigs, fixtures and general
maintenance. DC electrode positive unit must be run on DC welder.
6011: Popular electrode for utility type welders. Works well on rusty, dirty steel. Deep
penetration allows for use on bridges, pressure vessels, farm and road equipment, building
structures, tanks and pipe. Similar to 6010, but can be used on AC or DC current. Ideal for use on
AC welders.
6013LV : Easy operation with a soft arc make it ideal for sheet metal use. Especially poor fitting
applications and general repair on light thickness fabrication. AC/DC electrode works well on
low cost hobby type welders.
7014: Iron powder coating allows for higher welding speeds and use of a drag technique. Easier
to use than most electrodes. AC/DC electrode works well on poor fitting joints and welds
requiring a very flat bead.
7018: High quality weld for mild steel makes this the first choice for field construction
applications where weld quality is critical. Ideal for carbon steel where cracking is a concern.
Keep in a sealed container or an electrode oven when not in use. DC electrode positive.
7018 AC: Designed to operate on AC welders. Easier to operate than most other low hydrogen
electrodes. Preferred for its high purity, crack resistant welds on mild and carbon steels.
80LV Red: AC/DC straight or reverse polarity, all position electrode can be used with low
voltage machines for short, intermittent or tack welds on thin, medium and heavy sections of
mild steel.
252: Welds 310 and 314 stainless subjected to corrosion at elevated temperatures as well as
dissimilar steels and stainless of unknown analysis.
275: Produces high tensile and yield strengths on tool, high alloy, string, stainless, aircraft, nickel
clad and dissimilar steels.
HY-10: Special high strength electrode is machinable and ideal for joining or build up of low
alloy and sulphur steels.

8: Provides a high nickel machinable deposit for welding parts, filling holes and defects and
salvaging imperfect castings on thin sections of cast iron. Meets AWS A5.15 Class ENiCl-A.
8-60: Nickel electrode provides machinable deposits with high strength and good ductility for
heavy sections of cast iron and ductile iron. Meets AWS A5.15, Class ENiFeCl-A.
6: Provides high strength, dense, sound welds on cast iron where machinability is not needed.
Excellent for dirty or grease soaked castings.
4-60: Straight or reverse polarity electrodes provide strong machinable, crack resistant and
spatter free deposits without porosity. Fort heavy sections of cast iron, ductile iron, and
dissimilar metals. Will not overheat at rated amperage.
24 AC/DC: AC/DC all position electrode produces sound, porosity-free deposits on bronze,
brass, copper, cast iron and steel. Joins dissimilar metals or overlay on cast iron or steel.
34 DC: Premium DC reverse, all position, aluminum electrode for joining, build up, cladding
and reinforcing of aluminum sheets, plates and castings of 1/8 or thicker. Has extruded coating,
and leaves dense smooth deposits that provide good color match to base metal.
308L AC/DC: Excellent wetting action and bead appearance makes this all position electrode
ideal for welding most types of 18-8 stainless steel (304,302). Deposit is highly resistive to
corrosion.
309L AC/DC: Higher corrosion resistance and strength than type 308 make this all position
electrode ideal for 304 to 309 and 308 to carbon steels. Excellent weld appearance.
316L AC/DC: Provides a stable smooth arc and fine spray metal transfer with a uniform bead
that is flat or slightly concave with straight edges. Penetration is complete and the weld metal is
free from porosity. Also has good out-of-position characteristics. For 316L and 318 type steels in
the chemical industry. Maximum of .03% carbon deposit.
308L-17: Used in paper and chemical industries, food processing equipment, dairies, breweries,
distilleries, kitchens and hospitals for welding Cr/Ni steels such as 304L, 308L, 301, 303, 304
and 309.
309L-17: AC/DC reverse, all position electrode for welding carbon steels to stainless at service
temperatures below 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
316L-17: AC/DC reverse, all position electrode, low-carbon electrode for join 316 and 316L
stainless subject to corrosive media.
HS-2C: Hard facing electrode for severe abrasion and moderate impact with hardness 58-62
Rockwell C.

HS-65W: Hard facing electrode for superior wear resistance involving extreme abrasion with
hardness 63-67 Rockwell C.
Ni-Matrix: All position hard facing electrode for constant heavy impact and abrasion with
hardness 48 Rockwell C.
Super Join-M: Hard facing electrode resistant to corrosion from water and mild corrosives with
severe impact protection on manganese steel and unknown iron base metals.
Chamfer Rod: AC/DC straight all position gouging electrode for ferrous and non-ferrous
metals.
Stud Plus: AC/DC reverse polarity gouging electrode for removing broken studs and bolts.

Stick Welding Hints & Tips

Always read and follow the safety precautions and operational instructions in your owner's
manual.
1. Take precautions with flying materials when chipping slag.
2. Keep electrodes clean and dry - follow manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Common steel electrodes: (Refer to Diagram 8. Recommended Stick
Electrodes)
4. Penetration: DCEN - Least penetration, AC - medium (can be more spatter
also), DCEP - most penetration.
5. When welding a fillet, the leg of the weld should be equal to the thickness
of the parts welded. (Refer to Diagram 10. Recommended Fillet Weld
Thickness)

6. To set your amperage control, first

determine recommended amp range for
your electrode type and diameter. Then
pick an amperage within the range based
on your metal thickness (thinner metal,
less amps). (Refer to Diagram 7.
Example of Good and Bad Stick
Welds)

Scratch Start Technique

Drag electrode across workpiece like striking a match; lift electrode
slightly after touching work. If arc goes out, electrode was lifted too
high. If electrode sticks to workpiece, use a quick twist to free it.
1. Electrode
2. Workpiece
3. Arc

Tapping Technique
Bring electrode straight down to workpiece; then lift slightly to start arc. If
arc goes out, electrode was lifted too high. If electrode sticks to
workpiece, use a quick twist to free the electrode.
1. Electrode
2. Workpiece
3. Arc