6013 vs 7018 welding rod: which one to use
These are the two most common mild steel rods, and they are not for the same job. The 6013 is the rod of people who are learning and of general fabrication. The 7018 is the rod of structures that cannot fail.
6013 (rutile): easy, soft arc, AC or DC. Ideal for beginners, gates, railings and light structures. 7018 (low-hydrogen): stronger and more demanding, for critical structures and pipe. It has to stay dry, in a rod oven.
What the numbers mean
In the AWS EXXXX classification (AWS A5.1) printed on rod packages:
- E: electrode for arc welding.
- The first two digits (60 or 70): minimum tensile strength of the weld metal in ksi (thousands of psi). The 70 is stronger than the 60.
- The third digit: positions. 1 means all positions; 2 means flat and horizontal only.
- The last two digits together: the type of coating and the welding current.
So the E6013 has 60 ksi, welds in all positions and is a rutile rod. The E7018 has 70 ksi, welds in all positions and is a low-hydrogen rod.
The most common rods, side by side
| AWS | Coating | Current | Positions | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E6010 | Cellulosic | DCEP | All | Root pass on pipe |
| E6011 | Cellulosic | DCEP or AC | All | Pipe root (AC version) |
| E6013 | Rutile | DC or AC | All | Beginners, thin plate, light structures |
| E7018 | Low-hydrogen | DCEP or AC | All | Critical structures, industrial pipe |
| E7024 | Rutile, iron powder | DC or AC | Flat / horizontal | High productivity in flat position |
Table 3.1 of the e-book The Welder's Forge. Always confirm current and polarity on the rod package.
When to use each one
| Job | Choice |
|---|---|
| Learning, first beads | 6013 |
| Gates, railings, workbenches, home repairs | 6013 (a 3/32 in rod solves most of it) |
| Old AC-only machine | 6013 |
| Load-bearing structure, beams, columns | 7018 |
| Industrial pipe, tanks | 7018 for fill passes, 6010 for the root |
| Hard-to-weld steel with cracking risk | 7018, kept very dry, with preheat when the procedure calls for it |
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Low-hydrogen coating absorbs moisture, which releases hydrogen and can cause cold cracking, a serious defect that is sometimes invisible. Once the sealed container is open, keep the rods in a rod oven at about 250–300 °F (120–150 °C). How long they may sit outside the oven depends on the rod maker and the code (AWS D1.1), so follow the package and the WPS. Storage and drying in detail: 7018 rod storage: drying and rod ovens.
Difference in technique
- 6013: strikes easily, soft arc and slag that lifts off well. It forgives a slightly longer arc.
- 7018: wants a short, steady arc. It is harder to strike and, if the arc gets long, porosity shows up.
The reference current by diameter is in the stick welding amperage chart. Cable connections for each rod are in stick welding polarity. Always check the range printed on the maker's package.
Which diameter to buy first
- 6013 in 3/32 in (2.4 mm): the most versatile for light fabrication, heavier square tubing, railings and gates. It runs from 60 to 90 A, a range any shop inverter reaches.
- 6013 in 1/8 in (3.2 mm): the best for practicing on 1/4 in (6.4 mm) plate, with an arc that is easier to see and control.
- 7018 in 1/8 in (3.2 mm): when the job is structural and you have a way to keep the rods dry.
Buy small packages at first. Rods left in an open box pick up moisture, and 7018 suffers the most.
What if you are aiming at structural work?
E7018 shows up often in structural welder qualification tests under AWS D1.1 precisely because it is more demanding. If that is your goal, start on 6013 to get control of the arc, then move to 7018 soon and practice a short arc and correct storage from day one. This does not replace hands-on training or the test itself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best rod for a beginner?
Is 7018 stronger than 6013?
Can I run 7018 on a home inverter?
What happens if I use damp 7018?
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