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Complete reference for stick welding electrodes and MIG/TIG filler metals. Covers rod numbering systems, amperage ranges, polarity, welding positions, tensile strength, and how to choose the right rod for every metal type. Updated March 2026.
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Every AWS electrode classification follows a consistent numbering system. Understanding these digits saves you from guessing which rod to grab.
| Classification | Digit Position | What It Means | Example (E7018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Prefix | Electrode (stick rod) | E = electrode |
| 70 | First 2 digits | Minimum tensile strength x 1,000 psi | 70,000 psi minimum |
| 1 | 3rd digit | Welding position (1=all, 2=flat/H, 4=flat/H/OH/V-down) | All positions |
| 8 | 4th digit | Flux type, coating, and current compatibility | Low hydrogen, DCEP/AC |
The position digit 1 means flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. Position digit 2 means flat and horizontal fillet only. Position digit 4 adds vertical-down capability to flat, horizontal, and overhead.
| Last Digit | Flux/Coating Type | Compatible Current | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | High cellulosic sodium | DCEP | Deep |
| 1 | High cellulosic potassium | AC or DCEP | Deep |
| 2 | High titania sodium | AC or DCEN | Medium |
| 3 | High titania potassium | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Light |
| 4 | Iron powder, titania | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Light-Medium |
| 5 | Low hydrogen sodium | DCEP | Medium |
| 6 | Low hydrogen potassium | AC or DCEP | Medium |
| 7 | High iron oxide, iron powder | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Medium |
| 8 | Low hydrogen, iron powder | AC or DCEP | Medium |
All common stick electrodes with AWS classification, polarity, position, tensile strength, amperage range, and typical applications. Use these amperage ranges as starting points and fine-tune based on your welder and material condition.
| Electrode | Polarity | Position | Tensile Strength | 3/32" Amps | 1/8" Amps | 5/32" Amps | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E6010 | DCEP only | All (1) | 62,000 psi | 40–80A | 75–125A | 110–165A | Root passes, pipe, dirty steel |
| E6011 | AC or DCEP | All (1) | 62,000 psi | 40–85A | 75–130A | 110–170A | Repairs, rusty metal, AC machines |
| E6013 | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | All (1) | 62,000 psi | 40–90A | 80–130A | 105–180A | Sheet metal, auto body, beginners |
| E7014 | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | All (1) | 70,000 psi | 70–100A | 100–150A | 130–200A | General fabrication, fillet welds |
| E7018 | DCEP (AC capable) | All (1) | 70,000 psi | 70–100A | 90–140A | 120–180A | Structural steel, code work, critical joints |
| E7024 | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Flat & H-fillet (2) | 70,000 psi | 90–130A | 130–190A | 180–250A | High deposition flat/horizontal welds |
| E308L | DCEP | All (1) | 80,000 psi | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | 304/308 stainless steel |
| E309L | DCEP | All (1) | 80,000 psi | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | Stainless-to-carbon dissimilar welds |
| E316L | DCEP | All (1) | 80,000 psi | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | 316 stainless, marine, chemical service |
| ER70S-6 | DCEP (MIG wire) | All (1) | 70,000 psi | See MIG settings chart | MIG welding mild steel, general fabrication | ||
Amperage values are for flat position. Reduce by 10–15% for vertical and overhead positions. Store low-hydrogen rods (7018, 7014, 7024) in a rod oven at 250–300°F after opening.
The E6010 is the pipeline welder's rod. Its cellulosic coating produces a fast-freeze slag that allows all-position welding, and its digging arc burns through rust, mill scale, and light contamination better than any other common electrode. Used for root passes on pipe and structural applications where complete fusion is critical.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 40–80A | DCEP | Root passes, thin pipe |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 75–125A | DCEP | General root passes, pipe welding |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 110–165A | DCEP | Fill passes, structural |
| 3/16" (4.8mm) | 140–210A | DCEP | Heavy structural, cap passes |
The E6011 is the most versatile rod for field work and repairs. It runs on AC (buzz-box) welders or DC, making it the go-to choice when power source options are limited. Similar penetration characteristics to E6010, but the potassium-enhanced flux enables AC operation. Ideal for farm repairs, rusty equipment, and maintenance work where you need to weld through contaminated surfaces.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 40–85A | AC or DCEP | Sheet metal, thin material |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 75–130A | AC or DCEP | General purpose, repairs |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 110–170A | AC or DCEP | Structural, farm repairs |
| 3/16" (4.8mm) | 140–215A | AC or DCEP | Heavy fabrication |
The E6013 is the recommended starting rod for new welders. Easy arc starts, smooth operation, runs on all polarities, and produces clean beads with easy slag removal. Light penetration makes it ideal for thinner materials where burn-through is a concern. Not suited for structural work or code applications — use 7018 for those.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 40–90A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Sheet metal, auto body |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 80–130A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Light fabrication, practice |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 105–180A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Medium general fabrication |
The E7014 bridges the gap between 6013 and 7018. Iron powder added to the flux increases deposition rate without the strict moisture-sensitivity of low-hydrogen rods. Good all-around rod for general fabrication where you want better fill rates than 6013 but don't need the full structural certification of 7018.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 70–100A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | General purpose fillet welds |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 100–150A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Medium fabrication |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 130–200A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Production fillet welds |
| 3/16" (4.8mm) | 175–260A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Heavy fabrication |
The E7018 is the standard rod for structural and code-certified welding. Its low-hydrogen flux produces welds with superior impact toughness and crack resistance, required by AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code and most other structural specifications. Must be stored in a rod oven at 250–300°F — moisture absorption degrades performance and can cause hydrogen cracking in high-strength base metals.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 70–100A | DCEP (AC) | Root passes, critical joints |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 90–140A | DCEP (AC) | Structural, code work |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 120–180A | DCEP (AC) | Heavy structural, fill passes |
| 3/16" (4.8mm) | 150–220A | DCEP (AC) | Heavy plate, high deposition |
| 7/32" (5.6mm) | 200–275A | DCEP (AC) | Industrial, thick sections |
The E7024 (also called "jet rod") packs iron powder in its thick coating for extremely high deposition rates — up to 50% higher than E7018 at comparable amperages. The thick slag limits use to flat and horizontal positions. Use this rod when you need to fill large fillet welds quickly and position isn't a constraint.
| Diameter | Amperage | Polarity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4mm) | 90–130A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Small fillet welds, flat only |
| 1/8" (3.2mm) | 130–190A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Medium fillet welds |
| 5/32" (4.0mm) | 180–250A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Large fillet welds |
| 3/16" (4.8mm) | 230–315A | AC, DCEP, or DCEN | Production welding, thick plate |
Stainless steel electrodes require DCEP polarity. Use a shorter arc than with mild steel rods, keep interpass temperature below 350°F to prevent sensitization, and always use a stainless steel brush (never a carbon steel brush) for cleanup.
| Electrode | 1/16" Amps | 3/32" Amps | 1/8" Amps | 5/32" Amps | Base Metal Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E308L | 25–40A | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | 304, 308 stainless |
| E309L | 25–40A | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | Stainless-to-carbon, 309 stainless |
| E316L | 25–40A | 45–90A | 80–120A | 100–145A | 316, 317 stainless |
The "L" suffix means low carbon content (0.03% max), which reduces carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone and improves corrosion resistance of the finished weld.
Use this quick-reference table to select the right electrode for your base material.
| Base Metal | First Choice | Alternate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel (clean) | E7018 | E6013, E7014 | 7018 for structural; 6013 for thin/hobby |
| Mild steel (rusty/dirty) | E6010 | E6011 | Cellulosic coatings handle contamination |
| High-strength steel | E7018 | E8018, E9018 | Match rod strength to base metal; preheat often required |
| 304 stainless steel | E308L | E309L | Keep interpass temp below 350°F |
| 316 stainless steel | E316L | E309L | Molybdenum content resists pitting |
| Stainless to carbon steel | E309L | E312 | Higher alloy content handles dilution |
| Cast iron | ENiFe-CI (nickel) | ENi-CI | Preheat to 400–700°F; slow cooling critical |
| Pipe (root pass) | E6010 | E6011 | Fast-freeze slag enables downhill root |
| Pipe (fill/cap) | E7018 | E7016 | Low hydrogen for crack resistance |
| Thin sheet (under 3/16") | E6013 | E6011 | Light penetration reduces burn-through risk |
Proper electrode storage directly affects weld quality. Moisture is the primary enemy, especially for low-hydrogen rods.
| Electrode Type | Moisture Sensitivity | Storage Temp | Reconditioning | Risk if Wet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E7018, E7016 (low hydrogen) | Very High | 250–300°F rod oven | 500–700°F for 1 hour | Hydrogen cracking, porosity |
| E6010 (cellulosic) | Low | Dry location, sealed container | Not required | Spatter, rough bead |
| E6011 (cellulosic) | Low | Dry location, sealed container | Not required | Spatter, rough bead |
| E6013 (rutile) | Low-Medium | Dry location, sealed container | 200–250°F for 30 min | Porosity, rough starts |
| E308L, E316L (stainless) | Medium-High | 250–300°F rod oven | 400–550°F for 1 hour | Porosity, corrosion issues |
If you don't have a rod oven, store unopened 7018 cans in their original hermetically sealed containers and only open one at a time. Rods exposed to humidity for more than 4–8 hours should be reconditioned before use on structural applications.
These are the rods used by professional welders and serious hobbyists. Each brand offers consistent quality and reliable arc performance.
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Once you've selected your rod, use our welding settings chart to dial in amperage, voltage, and wire speed for your specific material thickness.
Welding Settings ChartThe E prefix stands for electrode. The first two or three digits indicate the minimum tensile strength in thousands of psi. The second-to-last digit indicates the welding positions (1 = all positions, 2 = flat and horizontal only, 4 = flat, horizontal, overhead, and vertical-down). The last digit codes the flux type and usable current. For example, E7018: E = electrode, 70 = 70,000 psi tensile, 1 = all positions, 8 = low hydrogen iron powder coating, DCEP or AC.
The E6013 is widely considered the best welding rod for beginners. It starts easily, runs on AC or DC, tolerates a slightly longer arc length, produces smooth beads with easy slag removal, and has light penetration that reduces burn-through risk on thinner materials. Use 1/8" diameter at 80–130 amps in the flat position to start. Once you're comfortable with arc control, move to 7018 for structural work.
Standard E7018 rods are rated DCEP as the primary polarity. Some E7018 formulations are AC-compatible when the welder has sufficient open-circuit voltage (typically 70V or higher). Look specifically for E7018 AC-rated versions from Lincoln or Hobart. For AC-only buzz-box machines, the E6011 is a better choice — it reliably runs on AC and provides similar all-position capability.
Low-hydrogen rods (7018, 7016, 7014, 308L, 316L) must be stored in a rod oven at 250–300°F after opening. Exposure to moisture causes hydrogen pickup in the weld, leading to porosity and delayed hydrogen cracking. Basic rods (6010, 6011, 6013) are less sensitive but should be stored in a sealed, dry container. If 7018 rods have been exposed to humidity for more than a few hours, recondition them at 500–700°F for one hour before use on critical structural welds.
For welding 304 stainless steel, use E308L electrodes. For 316 stainless, use E316L. When welding stainless to carbon steel (dissimilar metals), use E309L — it has higher chromium and nickel content to handle dilution from the carbon steel side without losing corrosion resistance. Always use DCEP polarity, keep interpass temperature below 350°F, and clean with a dedicated stainless wire brush (never carbon steel).