E6020 Welding Rod: Amperage Chart & High-Deposition Guide
Heavy-deposition flat and horizontal rod. Runs 100 to 425 amps on AC or DCEN, rated for flat, horizontal. Amperage chart by diameter below.
E6020 is a high-deposition rod designed for flat and horizontal fillet welds on heavy plate. It has a thick iron-powder coating that melts along with the core wire, adding extra metal to the weld pool. The result is high deposition rates and smooth, flat bead profiles with minimal spatter. It produces a heavy, self-peeling slag. Polarity is AC or DCEN. This is a flat-position workhorse, not a general-purpose rod. If you are filling joints on thick plate in the flat position and want speed, the 6020 fills that role.
What This Means in Practice
E6020 means: E (electrode) + 60 (60,000 psi tensile) + 2 (flat and horizontal positions only) + 0 (high iron oxide coating, DC negative or AC). The position digit 2 is the key: this rod does not work vertical or overhead.
What Amps for E6020?
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 100 - 150A |
| 5/32" (4 mm) | 130 - 200A |
| 3/16" (4.8 mm) | 175 - 275A |
| 7/32" (5.6 mm) | 225 - 350A |
| 1/4" (6.4 mm) | 275 - 425A |
Amperage by Individual Diameter
1/8 E6020 Amperage
Set 1/8 E6020 to 100 - 150 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Smallest available diameter. Use on thinner material where heat input needs to stay low. Start around 125A.
5/32 E6020 Amperage
Set 5/32 E6020 to 130 - 200 amps. Run AC or DCEN. A versatile mid-range size. Start at 165A and adjust: lower for thin material and out-of-position work, higher for flat fillets on thicker stock.
3/16 E6020 Amperage
Set 3/16 E6020 to 175 - 275 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Sized for vertical and overhead joints. Stay in the 175-225A range and keep the puddle small.
7/32 E6020 Amperage
Set 7/32 E6020 to 225 - 350 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Built for flat and horizontal production. Back off 10-15A from 350 if the bead crowns.
1/4 E6020 Amperage
Set 1/4 E6020 to 275 - 425 amps. Run AC or DCEN. Largest available diameter. High deposition for flat and horizontal fillet welds on thick plate. Requires 275A minimum to run properly.
E6020 Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
What Is E6020 Good For?
Flat and horizontal fillets on plate 1/4 inch and thicker.
High-volume fillet work where deposition rate matters.
Structural steel fabrication where the joint geometry allows flat or horizontal positioning.
Shipbuilding and heavy equipment frame assembly.
Where E6020 Falls Short
Flat and horizontal only, cannot weld vertical or overhead.
60,000 psi tensile is adequate for general structural but not suitable where 70 ksi matching strength is required (most D1.1 structural WPS specify E70XX class).
The heavy slag and high-deposition arc require proper joint fit-up.
Not for thin material.
E6020 Under the Hood
What You Hear and See
Heavy, globular arc with a slow, deep hum. The high iron oxide coating produces massive slag coverage. The arc does not dig or crackle. It melts metal in thick, slow drops.
Running It
Gravity or drag in flat position. On horizontal fillets, the heavy slag flows into the joint and supports the puddle. This rod is designed for flat and horizontal only.
Puddle and Slag
Very large puddle with the heaviest slag of any SMAW electrode. The slag is dark, thick, and slow-cooling. It supports the bead and fills undercut. The finished bead is flat with wide wash.
If You Are Struggling
If the slag runs ahead of the puddle, you are moving too slowly. Speed up or lower amps. If the bead undercuts on one side, adjust your angle to direct heat toward the undercut toe.
Which Size E6020 to Use
| Rod Diameter | Material Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 3/16" to 3/8" | Flat fillet and groove welds |
| 5/32" | 3/8" to 1/2" | Production flat work |
| 3/16" | 1/2" and up | Heavy plate flat position only |
Shop Talk
E6020 is the forgotten production rod. Before flux-core wire became common, E6020 was the fast-fill choice for flat work. It lays down metal almost as fast as E7024 but with deeper penetration. You will not find it at the hardware store. Industrial supply houses stock it for shops that still run stick on production flat welds. If your work stays in flat position and you want speed from a stick rod, E6020 fills faster than E7018.
Bottom Line
Use E6020 for production work. Skip it for pipe. Need something different? Look at E7024.
Setup & Safety Reference
How to Store E6020
Standard dry storage. Optional baking at 275F +/- 25F for 1 hour if moisture suspected.
Preheat & Interpass Temperature for E6020
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: 0.5-0.9 g/min
Iron oxide coating. Moderate fume.
Full Specs
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E6020 |
| Process | Stick Welding (SMAW) |
| Polarity | AC, DCEN |
| Positions | flat, horizontal |
| Penetration | medium |
| Coating Type | high iron oxide |
| Tensile Strength | 60,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 48,000 psi |
| Elongation | 25% |
| 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 |
E6020 Questions
What positions can you use E6020 in?
E6020 is limited to flat and horizontal positions only. The high iron powder content makes the slag too fluid for vertical or overhead welding.
What is E6020 used for?
E6020 is a high-deposition rod for filling thick joints in flat and horizontal positions. The high iron powder content gives faster fill rates than standard E6010 or E6013 rods.
Can E6020 be used on AC?
Yes. E6020 runs on AC or DCEN. It is commonly used with AC buzz boxes where DC inverters are not available.
Where to Buy E6020
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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.