E6012 Welding Rod: Amperage Chart & Gap-Bridging Applications
Gap-bridging rod for poor fit-up joints. Runs 40 to 350 amps on AC or DCEN, rated for flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead. Amperage chart by diameter below.
E6012 is designed for bridging gaps in joints that do not fit together well. It produces heavy slag and has medium penetration. For most work it has been replaced by E6013, which is easier to use and produces cleaner welds. You may still see E6012 called out in older welding procedures.
What This Means in Practice
E6012 has mostly been replaced by E6013 in modern welding. You will still find it specified on older procedures or in applications where its heavy slag is useful for bridging wide gaps. If your procedure does not specifically call for E6012, use E6013 for sheet metal or E7018 for structural work.
What Amps for E6012?
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4 mm) | 40 - 90A |
| 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 80 - 140A |
| 5/32" (4 mm) | 110 - 190A |
| 3/16" (4.8 mm) | 140 - 240A |
| 1/4" (6.4 mm) | 200 - 350A |
Amperage by Individual Diameter
3/32 E6012 Amperage
Set 3/32 E6012 to 40 - 90 amps. Run AC or DCEN. This is the smallest available size. Best for vertical-up and overhead where you need a small, controllable puddle. Start around 65A.
1/8 E6012 Amperage
Set 1/8 E6012 to 80 - 140 amps. Run AC or DCEN. This is the most commonly used E6012 size. Start at 110A for flat work, drop to 80-99A for vertical-up.
5/32 E6012 Amperage
Set 5/32 E6012 to 110 - 190 amps. Run AC or DCEN. A good choice when you need control. Run 110-150A for out-of-position work.
3/16 E6012 Amperage
Set 3/16 E6012 to 140 - 240 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Production size for flat work. If spatter increases above 216A, check your arc length.
1/4 E6012 Amperage
Set 1/4 E6012 to 200 - 350 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Largest available diameter. High deposition for flat and horizontal fillet welds on thick plate. Requires 200A minimum to run properly.
E6012 Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
What Is E6012 Good For?
Gap bridging on poorly fitted joints.
High-speed horizontal fillet welds.
Applications where a convex bead profile is acceptable.
Welding on AC or DC straight polarity (DCEN).
Repair work where deep penetration is not critical.
Where E6012 Falls Short
Dense, heavy slag that is difficult to remove, especially in multi-pass welds.
Shallow to medium penetration increases risk of incomplete fusion on thicker material.
Largely replaced by E6013 and E7014 in most applications.
Not suitable for structural or code work.
E6012 Under the Hood
The Arc
Soft, quiet arc similar to E6013 but with even more slag coverage. The arc sits on the surface and spreads. Almost no spatter. The sound is a low, steady hiss.
Technique
Drag slowly. Let the heavy slag fill behind the puddle. The iron oxide coating produces a thick slag blanket that bridges gaps. On poor fit-up, slow down further and let the slag support the puddle across the opening.
The Puddle
Wide puddle that spreads flat under a thick, dark slag layer. The slag is heavier than E6013 and takes longer to solidify. The finished bead is very smooth and flat with fine ripples.
When It Goes Wrong
If the slag runs ahead of the puddle, your travel angle is wrong. Point the rod more steeply into the joint. If the bead is too flat and wide, speed up slightly or reduce amperage.
Which Size E6012 to Use
| Rod Diameter | Material Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 3/32" | 1/16" to 3/32" | Sheet metal and thin wall tubing |
| 1/8" | 3/32" to 3/16" | Light fabrication with poor fit-up |
| 5/32" | 3/16" to 1/4" | Maximum thickness for E6012 |
Real-World Notes
E6012 is the gap-bridging champion. When the fit-up is bad and the joint has gaps that would swallow other rods, E6012 lays a slag shelf across the opening and fills it in. Nobody stocks this rod as their primary electrode, but having 5 pounds in the shop saves you when the joint does not fit right and you cannot recut it. Runs on AC or DCEN.
Bottom Line
This rod was made for production work. Do not force it into structural situations. E6013 covers what E6012 cannot.
Setup & Safety Reference
How to Store E6012
Standard dry storage at room temperature.
Preheat & Interpass Temperature for E6012
Preheat varies by base metal thickness. Non-low-hydrogen electrodes require higher preheat on thick material.
| Base Metal Thickness | Minimum Preheat (°F) |
|---|---|
| up to 3/4" | Not required |
| 3/4" to 1-1/2" | 150°F |
| 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" | 225°F |
| over 2-1/2" | 300°F |
Maximum interpass temperature: 600°F
Source: AWS D1.1 Table 3.2, Category A (non-low-hydrogen)
Fume Generation
Rating: Medium
Typical fume rate: 0.4-0.8 g/min
Titania coating produces moderate fume.
Common Brand Names for E6012
Lincoln Electric Fleetweld 7 is the most common E6012 on the shelf. 1 other manufacturers make the same classification.
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Electric | Fleetweld 7 | |
| Hobart | Hobart 12A |
Full Specs
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E6012 |
| Process | Stick Welding (SMAW) |
| Polarity | AC, DCEN |
| Positions | flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead |
| Penetration | medium |
| Coating Type | high titania sodium |
| Tensile Strength | 60,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 48,000 psi |
| Elongation | 17% |
| Base Metals | carbon steel, low-carbon steel |
| Shielding Gas | Flux-shielded (no external gas) |
| Max Interpass Temp | 600°F |
| AWS Specification | AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2012 |
E6012 Questions
Is E6012 still used in modern welding?
E6012 has been largely replaced by E6013 in most applications. E6013 runs smoother, has easier slag removal, and is more widely available. You will still find E6012 specified on older procedures and in some gap-bridging applications where its heavier slag blanket is useful. If your procedure does not specifically require E6012, E6013 is the better choice.
What is the difference between E6012 and E6013?
E6013 replaced E6012 in most applications. E6013 has a rutile-based coating that produces easier slag removal, a smoother arc, and better bead appearance. E6012 uses a sodium-based coating that produces heavier slag and a rougher bead but slightly better gap-bridging ability. For thin clean metal, E6013 wins. For wide gaps on AC machines, E6012 can still be useful.
Can E6012 run on DC?
E6012 runs on AC and DCEN (straight polarity). DCEN gives the shallowest penetration with maximum deposition rate. Most operators use it on AC or DCEN. DCEP is not a rated polarity for E6012.
Where to Buy E6012
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Manufacturer Data Sheets
External links to standards bodies and manufacturers. These leave GageRef.
Reference data only. Verify all settings against manufacturer documentation and the applicable welding code before use. Amperage ranges are starting points that vary by position, fit-up, and material. Welding involves serious injury risks including burns, electric shock, fume exposure, and fire. This site does not replace proper training, certification, or employer safety procedures. See full terms of use.
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.