Electrode comparison

E6010 vs E6013

E6010 digs deep on DC for roots and dirty steel; E6013 runs soft on anything and lays a clean bead on thin material.

E6010 vs E6013 at a glance

	E6010	E6013
AWS specification	AWS A5.1/A5.1M	AWS A5.1/A5.1M
Process	Stick (SMAW)	Stick (SMAW)
Form	Covered electrode	Covered electrode
Tensile strength (min)	60 ksi	60 ksi
Yield strength (min)	48 ksi	48 ksi
Elongation (min)	22%	17%
Impact toughness	20 ft·lb at -20 °F (27 J at -29 °C)	Not required by AWS A5.1 for this classification
Polarity	DCEP	AC, DCEP, DCEN
Positions	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead
Penetration	Deep	Shallow to medium
Deposition rate	Low	Medium
Coating / core	High-cellulose sodium	High-titania (rutile) potassium
Slag	Thin, light, easy to remove	Heavy, self-lifting, leaves a smooth bead face
Shielding gas	None — self-shielding	None — self-shielding
Storage	Store at room temperature. Do not bake E6010 — the cellulose coating needs its moisture to work.	Keep dry at room temperature. A sealed container or a warm cabinet is enough — no rod oven required.
Primary use	Open-root passes on pipe, both shop and field	Sheet metal and thin-wall tubing where burn-through is the risk

Which should you use?

These two sit at opposite ends of the 60-series. E6010 needs DCEP, produces a forceful digging arc, and is built for open roots and contaminated steel. E6013 runs on AC or either DC polarity with a soft, quiet arc, shallow penetration and a heavy self-lifting slag that leaves a smooth bead. If your machine is AC-only, E6010 is not even an option. If it is DC and the joint is thin and clean, E6013 will still give the better-looking result.

Choose E6010 when

Open-root passes and deep penetration requirements
Rust, paint and mill scale
DC machines and pipe work

Choose E6013 when

Thin material where burn-through is the concern
AC machines
Clean joints where appearance matters

Amperage compared

Diameter	E6010	E6013
3/32 in (2.4 mm)	40–80 A	45–90 A
1/8 in (3.2 mm)	70–130 A	80–130 A
5/32 in (4.0 mm)	110–165 A	105–180 A
3/16 in (4.8 mm)	140–215 A	150–230 A
7/32 in (5.6 mm)	170–250 A	—
1/16 in (1.6 mm)	—	20–45 A
5/64 in (2.0 mm)	—	25–60 A

Ranges are typical starting points. Diameters listed for only one electrode are shown as — for the other.

E6010 vs E6013 — common questions

Can E6010 run on an AC welder?

No. Its sodium-based cellulosic coating will not sustain an arc on alternating current. Use E6011, which is the AC-capable equivalent.

Which rod is better for thin sheet metal?

E6013, in a small diameter such as 1/16 or 5/64 in. E6010's deep penetration will blow holes in thin material.

Do E6010 and E6013 have the same strength?

Both are 60 ksi minimum tensile. E6010 has a higher minimum elongation requirement, so its deposit is more ductile.

Full specifications

E6010

AWS A5.1/A5.1M

E6010 is a DC-only cellulosic stick electrode with the deepest penetration of any common rod, used for open-root pipe passes and dirty or rusty steel.

E6013