E6013 Welding Rod: Amperage Chart, Settings & Beginner Guide
E6013 Amperage by Diameter
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 3/32" (2.4 mm) | 40 - 90A |
| 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 70 - 120A |
| 5/32" (4 mm) | 105 - 180A |
| 3/16" (4.8 mm) | 150 - 230A |
| 1/4" (6.4 mm) | 200 - 300A |
E6013 is the easiest stick rod to run. It strikes easily, holds a stable arc, and produces a clean bead with very little spatter. The trade-off is low penetration, it sits on top of the metal more than it digs in. That makes it ideal for sheet metal and thin material where you do not want to burn through, but a poor choice for anything structural. If you are learning to weld, this is a good rod to start with.
What This Means in Practice
E6013 is the rod most welding instructors hand to a student on day one. The arc is gentle, the slag peels easily, and the bead looks good even when your technique is rough. It is also the default choice for thin gauge sheet metal work, auto body fabrication, and any joint where the steel is clean and penetration requirements are low.
E6013 Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
When to Use E6013
Sheet metal and thin material (20 gauge to 3/16 inch).
Clean, new mild steel in a shop.
Learning to weld and practicing basic technique.
Light fabrication, non-structural brackets, and cosmetic welds.
Any application where appearance matters more than strength.
E6013 Limitations
Low penetration means poor fusion on thick material.
Not for structural, code, or load-bearing work.
Needs clean base metal to work properly, struggles with rust and mill scale.
Welds are weaker than E7018 (60 ksi vs 70 ksi tensile).
E6013 Storage Requirements
Standard dry storage.
E6013 Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E6013 |
| Process | Stick Welding (SMAW) |
| Polarity | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Positions | flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead |
| Penetration | light |
| Coating Type | high titania potassium |
| Tensile Strength | 60,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 48,000 psi |
| Elongation | 17% |
| Base Metals | carbon steel, low-carbon steel |
| AWS Specification | A5.1 |
E6013 FAQ
What welding rod for thin sheet metal?
E6013 in 3/32 inch diameter at low amperage (40-80A). E6013 has the lowest penetration of any common stick rod, which means it sits on top of the metal rather than burning through. That makes it ideal for sheet metal, auto body panels, and thin-wall tubing. Use DCEN (straight polarity) for even less penetration on very thin stock. If you are still burning through, switch to a MIG process with ER70S-6 wire, which gives better heat control on thin material. For very thin material, MIG with ER70S-6 specifications gives finer heat control than stick.
Is E6013 good for beginners?
E6013 is the easiest stick rod to run. It strikes with a light scratch, holds a stable arc even at low amperage, and produces clean beads with very little spatter. The slag practically falls off. Most welding instructors start students on E6013 to develop arc control and bead technique before moving to more demanding rods like E6010 or E7018. The downside is E6013 has low penetration and is only 60,000 psi, so it is not suitable for structural work. Once comfortable with E6013, most students progress to E7018 specifications for structural practice. See also: E6013 vs E7018 comparison.
Can E6013 weld structural steel?
No. E6013 should not be used for structural, load-bearing, or code-governed joints. It has low penetration, which increases the risk of lack-of-fusion defects, and its 60,000 psi tensile strength is below the 70,000 psi typically required for structural welding per AWS D1.1. Use E7018 for structural work. See also: E7018 specifications, E6013 vs E7018 comparison.
Where to Buy E6013
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External Resources
Manufacturer data sheets and standards for E6013.
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.