Electrode Selection

(mild steel and low hydrogen)

Jake Hoggatt
02-17-04
TEKS
119.25 (C)(8)(D)
TAKS
English- 1(7)
Biology- 1(1)
Physics/Chemistry- 5(6)(B)

Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the student to the arc welding electrode.

Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
1. Identify tensile strength.
2. Recognize capable electrode positions.
3. Identify currents associated with specific electrodes.
Focus
“Anyone in here a welder? Now be honest, how many of you that just raised your
hand has ever “accidentally” used the wrong electrode when stick welding? Tried to weld
overhead with a 6024 or welded with a 6010 set on AC? I like to think I’m a pretty good
welder, and I have to admit, I’ve gotten a case of the “stupids” and tried to use an
electrode that wasn’t meant for the job I was doing.”

What We’ve Learned So Far

Stick Welder
Components
• Helmet, gloves, electrode, ground, etc.
Settings
• AC, DC-, DC+
Techniques
• Circle, half circle (Moon)
Today
Electrode selection
– Identify
– Distinguish/ Differentiate
– Use PROPERLY
Content
Size
• 1/16“
• 3/32“
• 1/8”
• 5/32“
• 3/16“
• 1/4“
• 5/16"

Weld up to
• UP TO 3/16”
• UP TO 1/4”
• OVER 1/8“
• OVER 1/4“
• OVER 3/8“
• OVER 3/8“
• OVER 1/2"

Tensile Strength (thousands of pounds per square inch)

• 6011
– 60,000psi
• 7018
– 70,000psi
• 8018
– 80,000psi
• 10013
– 100,000psi
Position
• 1,2,or 3
Flat, vertical, horizontal, overhead
• 1
All positions
• 2
Flat and horizontal
• 3
Flat only
Current
• 10(mild steel)
– DC+(reverse)
• 11(mild steel)
 – AC, DC-(straight),DC+
• 12(mild steel)
– AC, DC-
• 13(mild steel)
– AC, DC-
• 14(mild steel)
– AC, DC-, DC+
• 15(low hydrogen)
– DC+
• 16(low hydrogen)
– AC, DC+
• 18(low hydrogen)
– AC, DC+
• 20(mild steel)
– AC, DC-, DC+
• 24(mild steel)
– AC, DC-, DC+
• 27(mild steel)
– AC, DC-, DC+
• 28(low hydrogen)
– AC, DC+

Welding results
• 6010, 6011
– Deep penetrating, flat beads, all purpose
• 6012, 6013, 6014
– Low penetrating, poor fit, good bead contour, minimum splatter
• 6020, 6024
– High deposition, deep groove welds
• 6027
– Iron powder, deep penetrating, high deposition
• 6015, 6016, 6018, 7016, 7018, 7028
– Low hydrogen
• welding of high-sulphur and high-carbon steels that tend to
develop porosity and crack under weld deposit

Other Electrodes
Stainless Steel
Low Alloy
Aluminum
Casting (Cast Iron)

Guided Practice
Test Your Knowledge
Independent Practice
Tomorrow we will have a quiz over electrode selection. When you come in, there
will be 10 welding electrodes in the shop. You will have to identify the tensile strength,
positions, and currents used.
 Resources

• Welding Principles & Applications 5th ed. Jeffus, Larry; Delmar, 2002
• Welding Electrodes
www.metalwebnews.com/howto/weldrod.html
• Electrode Selection
www.tpub.com/content/construction/14250/img/14250_139_1.jpg
• American Welding Society
www.aws.org
 www.metalwebnews.com/howto/weldrod.html

A BASIC GUIDE OF ARC WELDING ELECTRODES

by Bruce Bauerlein

INTRODUCTION

There are many different types of electrodes used in the shielded metal arc
welding, (SMAW) process. The intent of this guide is to help with the
identification and selection of these electrodes.

ELECTRODE IDENTIFICATION

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.

1. EXX1X is for use in all positions

2. EXX2X is for use in flat and horizontal positions
3. 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 DC-
 EXX13 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 AMP PLATE

 DIAMETER RANGE
(THICKNESS)

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 - OVER

250 1/4"

3/16" 140 - OVER

305 3/8"

1/4" 210 - OVER

430 3/8"

5/16" 275 - OVER

450 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.)

It is hoped that this basic information will help the new or home shop welder
identify the various types of electrodes and select the correct one for their
welding projects.