AWS A5.1/A5.1M · Carbon & Mild Steel
E6010 Welding Electrode
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.
- 60 ksi tensile
- Polarity DCEP
- 4 positions
- Deep penetration
- Stick (SMAW)
What E6010 means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Electrode for shielded metal arc welding |
| 60 | 60,000 psi minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal |
| 1 | Suitable for all welding positions |
| 0 | High-cellulose sodium coating, DCEP (reverse polarity) only |
E6010 specifications
| AWS specification | AWS A5.1/A5.1M |
|---|---|
| Process | Stick (SMAW) |
| Form | Covered electrode |
| Polarity | DCEP |
| Welding positions | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead |
| Tensile strength (min) | 60 ksi (414 MPa) |
| Yield strength (min) | 48 ksi (331 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 22% |
| Impact toughness | 20 ft·lb at -20 °F (27 J at -29 °C) |
| Coating / core | High-cellulose sodium |
| Penetration | Deep |
| Deposition rate | Low |
| Slag | Thin, light, easy to remove |
| Arc character | Forceful, digging, crisp |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielding |
E6010 amperage by diameter
Typical operating ranges. Start near the middle of the range, then adjust by sound and bead profile. Reduce 10–15% for vertical and overhead work.
| Diameter | Amperage range | Typical start |
|---|---|---|
| 3/32 in (2.4 mm) | 40–80 A | 60 A |
| 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | 70–130 A | 100 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | 110–165 A | 138 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | 140–215 A | 178 A |
| 7/32 in (5.6 mm) | 170–250 A | 210 A |
Polarity: DCEP (electrode positive) only. E6010 will not run on AC or DCEN — the arc stutters and goes out. If you only have an AC buzzbox, use E6011 instead.
What E6010 is used for
- Open-root passes on pipe, both shop and field
- Pipeline welding with the vertical-down stringer technique
- Repair work on rusty, painted, oily or galvanized steel
- Tank and pressure vessel root passes
- Farm and structural repairs where joint fit-up is poor
Base metals
- A36 structural steel
- API 5L pipe grades
- A53 / A106 pipe
- Mild steel plate
Characteristics
- Deepest penetration of any common mild-steel electrode
- Fast-freeze puddle that holds position out of position
- Tolerates surface contamination better than low-hydrogen rods
- Thin friable slag that mostly peels itself
- Noisy, spattery arc compared with E7018
Storage and handling
Store at room temperature. Do not bake E6010 — the cellulose coating needs its moisture to work.
- Keep in the original sealed container at ambient shop temperature.
- Coating moisture of roughly 3–7% is by design; that water is the source of the shielding gas.
- Baking E6010 in a rod oven drives off the cellulose and ruins the arc characteristics.
- If rods have been soaked, discard them — they cannot be reconditioned.
Welding tips
- Set the machine 5–10 A higher than you would for E7018 of the same diameter; E6010 likes to be run hot.
- Use a tight arc and a whipping motion on the root pass to control the keyhole.
- For vertical-down pipe stringers, keep travel speed high enough that the slag never gets ahead of the puddle.
- A 1/8 in rod at about 85–95 A is the everyday starting point for open-root work on schedule 40 pipe.
E6010 frequently asked questions
Can E6010 run on AC?
No. E6010 requires DCEP (direct current, electrode positive). The sodium-based cellulosic coating will not sustain an arc on alternating current. E6011 is the AC-capable equivalent.
What is the difference between E6010 and E6011?
They deposit nearly identical weld metal. E6010 uses a sodium coating and runs on DCEP only; E6011 uses a potassium coating and runs on AC or DC. E6010 has a slightly crisper arc and cleaner slag; E6011 is more forgiving on cheap AC machines.
Do you need to bake E6010 rods?
No — never bake them. Unlike low-hydrogen rods such as E7018, E6010 relies on moisture in its cellulose coating to generate shielding gas. Drying them out destroys the arc.
What amperage for 1/8 in E6010?
70–130 A DCEP, with most root-pass work landing between 80 and 95 A. Go higher for flat fill passes, lower for overhead.
Why is E6010 used for root passes?
Its deep, digging arc reaches through the root opening and fuses the land on both sides, and its fast-freezing puddle stays put in vertical and overhead positions.
Compare E6010 with
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