E6010 Welding Rod: Amperage, Settings & Pipe Welding Guide
E6010 Amperage by Diameter
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4 mm) | 40 - 80A |
| 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 75 - 130A |
| 5/32" (4 mm) | 100 - 180A |
| 3/16" (4.8 mm) | 140 - 225A |
| 7/32" (5.6 mm) | 170 - 250A |
| 1/4" (6.4 mm) | 210 - 320A |
E6010 is the standard rod for pipeline root passes. It has an aggressive, digging arc that blows through rust, mill scale, and dirty steel to get full penetration. The slag is thin and almost nonexistent, so cleanup is fast. If you are welding pipe or doing field repairs where the steel is not clean, this is the rod to reach for. It runs on DC positive (DCEP) only, it will not work on an AC buzz box.
What This Means in Practice
E6010 is not a rod you learn on. It is a rod you earn. The arc is violent, the puddle freezes fast, and controlling it through a root opening on pipe takes hundreds of hours of practice. But nothing else burns through rust, mill scale, and bad fit-up the way 6010 does. Pipeline welders live on this rod.
E6010 Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
When to Use E6010
Pipe root passes where you need full penetration through the back side.
Field repairs on rusty, painted, or dirty steel.
Vertical-down welding on pipe.
Cutting or gouging in an emergency (crank the amps up).
Any situation where the steel is not clean and you need the arc to burn through it.
E6010 Limitations
DCEP only, will not run on an AC welder.
Rough bead with coarse ripples, not pretty.
High hydrogen content means it can cause cracking on thick, high-strength steel without preheat.
Takes real skill to control the aggressive arc.
Not the rod for clean shop work where appearance matters.
E6010 Storage Requirements
Standard dry storage at room temperature. Do not recondition, moisture in cellulose coating is required for arc characteristics.
E6010 Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E6010 |
| Process | Stick Welding (SMAW) |
| Polarity | DCEP |
| Positions | flat, horizontal, vertical up, vertical down, overhead |
| Penetration | deep |
| Coating Type | high cellulose sodium |
| Tensile Strength | 60,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 48,000 psi |
| Elongation | 22% |
| Impact Toughness | 20 ft-lbs at -20°F |
| Base Metals | carbon steel, low-carbon steel |
| AWS Specification | A5.1 |
E6010 Questions
What welding rod works on rusty steel?
E6010 or E6011. Both have a high-cellulose coating that produces an aggressive, digging arc capable of burning through rust, mill scale, paint, and light oil. E6010 requires DCEP only. E6011 runs on AC or DC, making it the better choice if you have an AC-only machine. For heavily corroded steel, grind the worst areas and clamp your ground lead to bare metal within 12-24 inches of the joint. No rod works well with a bad ground connection. See also: E6011 specifications, E6010 vs E6011 comparison.
Can E6010 run on AC?
No. E6010 has a high-cellulose sodium coating that requires DC positive (DCEP) to maintain the arc. It will not run on an AC machine. If you need the same deep penetration and fast-freeze characteristics on AC, use E6011 instead. E6011 has a high-cellulose potassium coating designed to stabilize the arc on AC while delivering similar performance. E6011 specifications, the AC-capable version of E6010. See also: E6010 vs E6011 comparison.
Why is E6010 used for pipe welding?
E6010 is the standard rod for pipe root passes because of three properties. First, the aggressive arc digs into the root opening and fuses completely through to the back side, giving full-penetration welds. Second, the fast-freeze slag solidifies almost instantly, letting you weld out of position (vertical-down on pipe) without the puddle sagging. Third, the thin slag is easy to clean between passes. Pipeline welders typically run E6010 for the root and hot pass, then switch to E7018 for fill and cap. See also: E7018 specifications, E6010 vs E7018 comparison.
What is the difference between 6010 and 6011?
The main difference is polarity. E6010 runs on DCEP only. E6011 runs on AC or DCEP. On DC, E6010 has a slightly more aggressive and focused arc with deeper penetration. E6011 is a little softer and produces more spatter. In practice, the difference is small enough that most welders use whichever one matches their machine. If you have DC, use E6010. If you only have AC, use E6011. They are interchangeable for most non-code applications. See also: E6010 vs E6011 full comparison.
Where to Buy E6010
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External Resources
Manufacturer data sheets and standards for E6010.
Data sourced from AWS A5.1/A5.1M. Amperage ranges are approximate starting points. adjust based on position, fit-up, and material thickness. Always follow manufacturer recommendations and applicable codes.