Electrode comparison

E6013 vs E7018

E6013 is the easy rutile rod for thin, light work; E7018 is the low-hydrogen 70 ksi rod required on structural and code welding.

E6013 vs E7018 at a glance

	E6013	E7018
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	70 ksi
Yield strength (min)	48 ksi	58 ksi
Elongation (min)	17%	22%
Impact toughness	Not required by AWS A5.1 for this classification	20 ft·lb at -20 °F (27 J at -29 °C)
Polarity	AC, DCEP, DCEN	DCEP, AC
Positions	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead
Penetration	Shallow to medium	Medium
Deposition rate	Medium	High
Coating / core	High-titania (rutile) potassium	Low-hydrogen potassium with iron powder
Slag	Heavy, self-lifting, leaves a smooth bead face	Heavy, brown-glassy, releases cleanly when run correctly
Shielding gas	None — self-shielding	None — self-shielding
Storage	Keep dry at room temperature. A sealed container or a warm cabinet is enough — no rod oven required.	Low-hydrogen rods must be kept dry. Hermetically sealed until opened, then held in a rod oven at 250–300 °F (120–150 °C).
Primary use	Sheet metal and thin-wall tubing where burn-through is the risk	Structural steel erection, bridges and buildings

Which should you use?

This is the most common cross-class comparison, and the answer is usually decided by the job rather than by preference. E6013 deposits 60 ksi weld metal with shallow penetration, needs no special storage and is the easiest mild-steel rod to run. E7018 deposits 70 ksi low-hydrogen weld metal with 22% elongation and 20 ft·lb toughness at -20 °F, which is what structural codes call for on thick or restrained joints — but it demands a rod oven and a clean joint. Use E6013 for light fabrication and E7018 where strength, toughness and crack resistance matter.

Choose E6013 when

Sheet metal and light plate under about 3/16 in
Gates, railings, furniture and ornamental work
Occasional shop repair where oven storage is not practical

Choose E7018 when

Structural steel and anything to a welding code
Thick plate or highly restrained joints
Work where low-temperature toughness is specified

Amperage compared

Diameter	E6013	E7018
1/16 in (1.6 mm)	20–45 A	—
5/64 in (2.0 mm)	25–60 A	—
3/32 in (2.4 mm)	45–90 A	70–120 A
1/8 in (3.2 mm)	80–130 A	110–165 A
5/32 in (4.0 mm)	105–180 A	150–220 A
3/16 in (4.8 mm)	150–230 A	200–275 A
7/32 in (5.6 mm)	—	260–340 A

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

E6013 vs E7018 — common questions

Can I use E6013 instead of E7018?

Not on code work. E6013 is not a low-hydrogen electrode and deposits 60 ksi rather than 70 ksi weld metal. On light non-structural fabrication the substitution is usually harmless.

Is E7018 harder to run than E6013?

It is harder to start — E7018 tips stick readily on a cold strike — but once running it has a smooth, fluid puddle that many welders prefer. E6013 is more forgiving of arc length.

Does E6013 need a rod oven?

No. Rutile coatings are not low-hydrogen and only need to be kept dry. E7018 must be held at 250–300 °F after the container is opened.

Full specifications

E6013

AWS A5.1/A5.1M

E6013 is the easy-starting rutile rod for thin steel and light fabrication — soft arc, shallow penetration and the best bead appearance of the 60-series.

E7018