Seismic-Rated vs General-Purpose Self-Shielded Flux-Core
E71T-8 seismic-rated structural wire vs E71T-11 general-purpose self-shielded. Both need no gas but serve different markets.
Key Differences
| Attribute | E71T-8 | E71T-11 |
|---|---|---|
| Code Compliance | AWS D1.1 and D1.8 seismic | General purpose - not prequalified |
| Impact Testing | 20 ft-lbs at -20F required | Not required |
| Target Market | Professional structural erection | Hobby, farm, light fabrication |
| Wire Diameter Range | 0.045" to 5/64" (heavier) | 0.030" to 0.045" (lighter) |
| Cost | Significantly higher | Budget friendly |
| Availability | Welding supply distributors | Hardware stores, Amazon |
| Polarity | DCEN | DCEN |
| Fume Level | Moderate to high | Moderate |
Use E71T-8 when:
Use E71T-11 when:
How E71T-8 and E71T-11 Work Together
E71T-11 is the hobby and light fabrication self-shielded wire that comes with most consumer wire feeders. E71T-8 is the professional structural wire used in building erection. E71T-8 meets AWS D1.8 seismic requirements and has mandatory -20F impact testing. E71T-11 has no impact test requirement. For non-code farm and shop work, E71T-11 is fine. For structural steel, use E71T-8.
Common Mistake With Seismic-Rated
Using E71T-11 on structural code work because it was available. E71T-11 does not meet seismic demand classification and may not pass the impact requirements of the WPS. Structural inspectors will reject it.
Where to Buy
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Data sourced from .