AWS A5.1/A5.1M · Carbon & Mild Steel
E7024 Welding Electrode
E7024 is a heavy iron-powder drag rod for flat and horizontal fillets only — the fastest-depositing common stick electrode, sometimes called a jet rod.
- 70 ksi tensile
- Polarity AC, DCEP, DCEN
- 2 positions
- Shallow penetration
- Stick (SMAW)
What E7024 means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Electrode for shielded metal arc welding |
| 70 | 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength |
| 2 | Flat position and horizontal fillets only |
| 4 | Iron-powder titania coating, AC, DCEP or DCEN |
E7024 specifications
| AWS specification | AWS A5.1/A5.1M |
|---|---|
| Process | Stick (SMAW) |
| Form | Covered electrode |
| Polarity | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Welding positions | Flat, Horizontal fillet |
| Tensile strength (min) | 70 ksi (483 MPa) |
| Yield strength (min) | 58 ksi (400 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 17% |
| Impact toughness | Not required by AWS A5.1 for this classification |
| Coating / core | Iron-powder titania, roughly 50% iron powder |
| Penetration | Shallow |
| Deposition rate | Very high |
| Slag | Very heavy, usually peels off in one strip |
| Arc character | Extremely smooth and quiet |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielding |
E7024 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) | 100–145 A | 122 A |
| 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | 140–190 A | 165 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | 180–250 A | 215 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | 230–305 A | 268 A |
| 7/32 in (5.6 mm) | 285–375 A | 330 A |
Polarity: Runs on AC or either DC polarity. AC is often preferred at high amperage because it reduces arc blow.
What E7024 is used for
- Long horizontal fillet welds on heavy plate
- Shipyard and structural shop work in the flat position
- Beam and girder fabrication where the work can be positioned
- Filling large flat-position groove welds quickly
- Any production joint where deposition rate drives cost
Base metals
- A36 structural steel
- Mild steel plate
- Heavy structural shapes
Characteristics
- The highest deposition rate of any common mild-steel stick electrode
- Shallow penetration — relies on good fit-up and prior root passes
- Beautiful, near-flat bead with finely rippled face
- Position-limited, which is the main trade-off for the speed
- Not low-hydrogen
Storage and handling
Dry room-temperature storage; no oven required.
- Keep sealed against shop humidity.
- Reconditioning is 250–300 °F (120–150 °C) for one hour if the rods get damp.
- The thick coating is fragile — dropped rods often crack and should be discarded.
Welding tips
- Drag it with the coating touching the work; the deep crucible keeps arc length constant for you.
- A 5/32 in rod at about 210 A will lay a large horizontal fillet in one pass.
- Do not use it for a root pass — the shallow penetration will leave lack of fusion.
- If you need the speed but also need out-of-position capability, look at E7028, which is a low-hydrogen high-deposition rod rated for horizontal fillets and flat.
E7024 frequently asked questions
Why is E7024 sometimes called a jet rod?
It is a trade nickname for the heavy iron-powder drag electrodes. The thick coating forms a deep crucible at the tip, so the rod can be dragged at high speed with a very smooth arc.
Can you weld vertical with E7024?
No. The 2 in the classification limits it to the flat position and horizontal fillets. The large fluid puddle will sag out of position.
What amperage for 1/8 in E7024?
140–190 A, with roughly 160–175 A typical on 3/8 in plate fillets.
Is E7024 stronger than E7018?
Both are 70 ksi minimum tensile. E7018 is tougher and low-hydrogen; E7024 deposits faster but has shallow penetration, lower ductility and no low-temperature impact requirement.
What is E7024 used for?
Long flat and horizontal fillet welds on heavy plate where deposition rate is the priority — shipbuilding, structural shops and beam fabrication.
Compare E7024 with
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