E7018 vs E7024: All-Position vs High-Speed Flat Only
E7018 goes anywhere. E7024 goes fast. That is the entire tradeoff. E7024 puts down metal twice as fast in flat and horizontal, but if you need to weld overhead or vertical, it cannot do it.
The Numbers
| Attribute | E7018 | E7024 |
|---|---|---|
| Welding positions | All positions (flat, horizontal, vertical-up, overhead) | Flat and horizontal only |
| Deposition rate | Moderate | Very high (heavy iron powder coating) |
| Hydrogen level | Low hydrogen | Standard (not controlled) |
| Technique | Standard weaving or stringer technique | Drag technique (contact the work) |
| Operator skill required | Moderate | Low (drag rod simplifies technique) |
| Minimum plate thickness | No minimum | 1/4 inch minimum |
Use E7018 when:
You need to weld in any position, or the application requires low-hydrogen deposits and code compliance. E7018 is the correct choice for any structural, pressure, or quality-critical application.
Use E7024 when:
You are doing high-volume flat or horizontal fillet welds on plate 1/4 inch or thicker. Maximum deposition rate matters more than position flexibility. Production welding in a shop where all joints are flat.
How E7018 and E7024 Work Together
E7024 exists for one reason: filling flat and horizontal joints as fast as possible. Its iron powder content is roughly 50% of the coating weight, which means the rod melts fast and deposits a lot of metal per pass. On production runs where every joint is in the same position, E7024 can cut welding time in half compared to E7018. But the moment you need to weld vertical or overhead, E7024 is physically unable to do it. The puddle is too fluid to stay in place.
Common Mistake With E7018
Buying E7024 thinking it is a faster version of E7018 for all positions. It is not. E7024 is flat and horizontal only (the '2' in the last two digits means position 2). If your work involves mixed positions, E7018 is the only option. Stock E7024 only if you have a dedicated flat welding station.
Where to Buy
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Data sourced from AWS A5.1/A5.1M.