Can a e6013 welding rod be used on a 110

volt arc welder?

Just got one and been using the 1/16" rods and they are not working for me. Burn too quick and
become glowing, red hot when used. Have used e6011, e6013, and e7018 but on a 230 volt. Not
worried about ruining metal but will it ruin arc welder?

kinda hard to say. you didnt state what you thickness you are welding and at what
amperage. it would also help to know what type of machine you have and what the
duty cycle is.
you either need to turn down the amps or switch to a thicker rod. it shouldnt hurt
the welder just dont exced the duty cycle. step up to a 3/32 rod wich can weld up to
a 1/4 inch plate between 40-125 amps. below is how to decode the numbers on the
rod.
Arc welding electrodes are identified using the A.W.S, (American Welding Society)
numbering system and are made in sizes from 1/16 to 5/16 . An example would be a
welding rod identified as an 1/8" E6011 electrode.
The electrode is 1/8" in diameter
The "E" stands for arc welding electrode.
Next will be either a 4 or 5 digit number stamped on the electrode. The first two
numbers of a 4 digit number and the first 3 digits of a 5 digit number indicate the
minimum tensile strength (in thousands of pounds per square inch) of the weld that
the rod will produce, stress relieved. Examples would be as follows:
E60xx would have a tensile strength of 60,000 psi E110XX would be 110,000 psi
The next to last digit indicates the position the electrode can be used in.
EXX1X is for use in all positions
EXX2X is for use in flat and horizontal positions
EXX3X is for flat welding
The last two digits together, indicate the type of coating on the electrode and the
welding current the electrode can be used with. Such as DC straight, (DC -) DC
reverse (DC+) or A.C.
I won't describe the type of coatings of the various electrodes, but will give
examples of the type current each will work with.

ELECTRODES AND CURRENTS USED

EXX10 DC+ (DC reverse or DCRP) electrode positive.
EXX11 AC or DC- (DC straight or DCSP) electrode negative.
EXX12 AC or DCEXX13 AC, DC- or DC+
EXX14 AC, DC- or DC+
EXX15 DC+
EXX16 AC or DC+
EXX18 AC, DC- or DC+
EXX20 AC ,DC- or DC+
EXX24 AC, DC- or DC+
EXX27 AC, DC- or DC+
EXX28 AC or DC+
CURRENT TYPES
SMAW is performed using either AC or DCcurrent. Since DC current flows in one
direction, DC current can be DC straight, (electrode negative) or DC reversed
(electrode positive). With DC reversed,(DC+ OR DCRP) the weld penetration will be
deep. DC straight (DC- OR DCSP) the weld will have a faster melt off and deposit
rate. The weld will have medium penetration.
Ac current changes it's polarity 120 times a second by it's self and can not be
changed as can DC current.
ELECTRODE SIZE AND AMPS USED
The following will serve as a basic guide of the amp range that can be used for
different size electrodes. Note that these ratings can be different between various
electrode manufactures for the same size rod. Also the type coating on the
electrode could effect the amperage range. When possible, check the manufactures
info of the electrode you will be using for their recommended amperage settings.

Electrode Table
ELECTRODE DIAMETER (THICKNESS)
AMP RANGE
PLATE
1/16"
20 - 40
UP TO 3/16"
3/32"
40 - 125
UP TO 1/4"

1/8
75 - 185
OVER 1/8"
5/32"
105 - 250
OVER 1/4"
3/16"
140 - 305
OVER 3/8"
1/4"
210 - 430
OVER 3/8"
5/16"
275 - 450
OVER 1/2"

Note! The thicker the material to be welded, the higher the current needed and the
larger the electrode needed.
SOME ELECTRODE TYPES
This section will briefly describe four electrodes that are commonly used for
maintenance and repair welding of mild steel. There are many other electrodes
available for the welding of other kinds of metals. Check with your local welding
supply dealer for the electrode that should be used for the metal you want to weld.
E6010 This electrode is used for all position welding using DCRP. It produces a deep
penetrating weld and works well on dirty,rusted, or painted metals
E6011 This electrode has the same characteristics of the E6010, but can be used
with AC and DC currents.
E6013 This electrode can be used with AC and DC currents. It produces a medium
penetrating weld with a superior weld bead appearance.
E7018 This electrode is known as a low hydrogen electrode and can be used with AC
or DC. The coating on the electrode has a low moisture content that reduces the
introduction of hydrogen into the weld. The electrode can produce welds of x-ray
quality with medium penetration. (Note, this electrode must be kept dry. If it gets

wet, it must be dried in a rod oven before use.)

check your owners manual for you machines duty cycle

Duty cycle is a welding equipment specification which defines the number of
minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can safely produce
a particular welding current.
For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least
7 minutes after 3 minutes of continuous welding.

1. What are the most common SMAW electrodes?

Hundreds, if not thousands, of SMAW electrodes exist, but the most popular are mild
steel electrodes that fall into the American Welding Society (AWS) classification A5.1.
These include the 6010, 6011, 6012, 6013, 7014, 7024, and 7018 electrodes.
2. How do I decipher these AWS electrode classifications?
AWS uses a standardized coding system to identify SMAW electrodes. Codes are printed
on the side of each SMAW electrode and represent specific properties. For the mild steel
electrodes mentioned previously, here is how the AWS system works:
o
o

The letter E indicates an electrode.

The first two digits represent the resulting weld's minimum tensile strength,
measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). For example, the number 70 in a
E7018 electrode indicates that the electrode will produce a weld bead with a
minimum tensile strength of 70,000 PSI.

The third digit represents the welding positions for which the electrode can be
used. For example, 1 means the electrode can be used in all positions and 2 means
it can be used on flat and horizontal.

The fourth digit represents the coating type and the type of welding current (AC,
DC, or both) that can be used with the electrode.

3. How do 6010, 6011, 6012, and 6013 electrodes differ, and when should each be used?

The 6010 electrodes can be used only with DC power sources. They deliver deep
penetration and have the ability to dig through rust, oil, paint, and dirt (see Figure 1).
Many experienced pipe welders use these all-position electrodes for root welding passes

that are located within a pipe. However, 6010 electrodes have an extremely tight arc,
which can make them difficult for amateur welders to use.
The 6011 electrodes also can be used for all-position welding, except they require an AC
welding power source. Like 6010 electrodes, 6011 electrodes produce a deep, penetrating
arc that cuts through corroded or unclean metals. Many welders choose 6011 electrodes
for maintenance and repair work when a DC power source is unavailable.
The 6012 electrodes work well in applications that require gap bridging between two
joints. Many professional welders also choose 6012 electrodes for high-speed, highcurrent fillet welds in the horizontal position. These electrodes tend to produce a
shallower penetration profile and dense slag that requires additional post welding
cleaning.
The 6013 electrodes produce a soft arc with minimal spatter, offer moderate penetration,
and have a easily removable slag. They should be used only to weld clean, new sheet
metal.
4. How do 7014, 7018, and 7024 electrodes differ, and when should each be used?
The 7014 electrodes produce about the same joint penetration as 6012 electrodes and are
designed for use on carbon and low-alloy steels. 7014 electrodes contain a higher amount
of iron powder, which increases deposition rate. They also can be used at higher
amperages than 6012 electrodes.

The 7018 electrodes are easy to use and contain a thick flux with high powder content.
They produce a smooth, quiet arc with minimal spatter and medium arc penetration.
Many welders use 7018 electrodes to weld thick metals such as structural steel. They also
produce strong welds with high impact properties (even in cold weather) and can be used
on carbon steel, high-carbon, low-alloy, high-strength steel base metals (see Figure 2).
The 7024 electrodes contain a high amount of iron powder content that helps increase
deposition rates and are often used for high-speed horizontal or flat fillet welds. These
electrodes perform well on steel plate that is at least 1/4 inch thick. They also can be used
on metals thicker than 1/2 in.
5. What is the best way to choose a SMAW electrode?
Select an electrode that matches the base metal strength properties and composition. For
example, when working on mild steel, generally any E60 or E70 electrode will work.
Next, match the electrode type to your welding position and consider your available
power source. Remember, certain electrodes can be used only with DC or AC, while
others can be used with either.

Assess the joint design and fit-up that you need and select an electrode that will provide
the best penetration characteristics (digging, medium, or light). If you're working on a
joint with tight fit-up or one that is not beveled, E6010 or E6011 will provide digging
arcs to ensure sufficient penetration. For thin materials or joints with wide root openings,
select an electrode with a light or soft arc, such as an E6013.
To avoid weld cracking on thick, heavy material or complicated joint designs, select an
electrode with maximum ductility. Also consider the service condition the component
will encounter and the specifications it must meet. Will it be used in a low-temperature,
high-temperature, or shock-loading environment? For these applications, a low-hydrogen
E7018 electrode works well.
You should also consider the production efficiency. When working in the flat position,
electrodes with a high-iron powder content, as such E7014 or E7024, offer higher
deposition rates. For critical applications, always check the welding specification and
procedures for the electrode type.
6. What function does the flux surrounding a SMAW electrode serve?
All SMAW electrodes comprise a wire surrounded by a coating called flux, which serves
several important purposes. It is actually the flux, or the covering, on the electrode that
dictates where and how an electrode can be used.
When you strike an arc, the flux burns and produces a series of complex chemical
reactions. As the flux ingredients burn in the welding arc, they release shielding gas to
protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric impurities. When the weld pool cools, the
flux forms slag to protect the weld metal from oxidation and prevent porosity in the weld
bead.
Flux also contains ionizing elements that make the arc more stable (especially when
welding with an AC power source), along with alloys that give the weld its ductility and
tensile strength. Some electrodes use flux with a higher concentration of iron powder to
help increase deposition rates, while others contain added deoxidizers that act as cleaning
agents and have the ability to penetrate corroded or dirty workpieces or mill scale.
7. When is a high-deposition SMAW electrode appropriate?
High-deposition electrodes can help complete a job faster, but they are not without
limitations. The additional iron powder in these electrodes makes the weld pool much
more fluid, meaning that they can't be used for out-of-position welding.
They also cannot be used for critical or code-required applications, such as pressure
vessel or boiler fabrication, where weld beads are subject to high stresses.
High-deposition electrodes, however, are an excellent choice for noncritical applications
such as welding a simple liquid storage tank or two pieces of nonstructural metal.

8. What is the proper way to store and redry SMAW electrodes?

A heated, low-humidity environment is the best storage place for SMAW electrodes. For
example, many mild steel, low-hydrogen 7018 electrodes need to be stored at a
temperature between 250 and 300 degrees.
Generally, electrodes' reconditioning temperatures are higher than the storage temperature
to help eliminate excess moisture. The reconditioning environment for low-hydrogen
7018 electrodes should be from 500 to 800 degrees F for one to two hours.
Some electrodes, like 6011, only need to be stored dry at room temperature, which is
defined as a humidity level not exceeding 70 percent and a temperature between 40 and
120 degrees F.
For specific storage and reconditioning times and temperatures, always refer to the
manufacturer's recommendations.