E6011 vs E7018: Field Penetration Rod vs Structural Low-Hydrogen
E6011 is a deep-penetrating AC-capable rod for dirty metal and field work. E7018 is the smooth, strong, code-quality low-hydrogen rod for structural welding. Different tools for different jobs.
Key Differences
| Attribute | E6011 | E7018 |
|---|---|---|
| Difference 1 | E6011 has 60 ksi tensile with deep, aggressive penetration | |
| Difference 2 | E7018 has 70 ksi tensile with medium penetration and smooth arc | |
| Difference 3 | E6011 runs AC or DC | E7018 needs DC or high-OCV AC |
| Difference 4 | E6011 tolerates dirty metal | E7018 needs clean joints |
| Difference 5 | E6011 is high-hydrogen | E7018 is low-hydrogen |
Use E6011 when:
Welding on rust, paint, or dirty metal. Field repairs on AC machines. Root passes on pipe. Situations where deep penetration through contamination matters more than bead appearance.
Use E7018 when:
Clean structural fabrication. D1.1 code work. Pressure vessels. Any application specifying low-hydrogen. Cap passes where appearance and mechanical properties both matter.
How E6011 and E7018 Work Together
Many pipeline welders use E6010/E6011 for the root pass and E7018 for fill and cap passes. The combination leverages the penetration of cellulosic rods and the strength of low-hydrogen rods.
Common Mistake With E6011
Using E6011 where low-hydrogen properties are required. E6011 is a high-hydrogen rod that can cause cracking in thick, restrained, or high-strength joints.
Where to Buy
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Data sourced from AWS A5.1.