Electrode comparison
E71T-11 vs E6011
Both work outdoors on dirty steel with no gas. E71T-11 fills faster on a wire feeder; E6011 needs only a stick machine and handles thicker plate.
E71T-11 vs E6011 at a glance
| E71T-11 | E6011 | |
|---|---|---|
| AWS specification | AWS A5.20/A5.20M | AWS A5.1/A5.1M |
| Process | Flux-Cored (FCAW) | Stick (SMAW) |
| Form | Tubular wire | Covered electrode |
| Tensile strength (min) | 70 ksi | 60 ksi |
| Yield strength (min) | 58 ksi | 48 ksi |
| Elongation (min) | 20% | 22% |
| Impact toughness | Not required by AWS A5.20 for the -11 classification | 20 ft·lb at -20 °F (27 J at -29 °C) |
| Polarity | DCEN | AC, DCEP |
| Positions | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead |
| Penetration | Medium | Deep |
| Deposition rate | High | Low |
| Coating / core | Self-shielding flux core inside a mild steel sheath | High-cellulose potassium |
| Slag | Heavy and fast-freezing; peels off but leaves more to clean than gas-shielded wire | Thin, light, easy to remove |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielded | None — self-shielding |
| Storage | Keep dry and sealed. Self-shielded flux core is hygroscopic and damp wire is the usual cause of porosity on gasless machines. | Room-temperature storage in a dry place. Never bake E6011. |
| Primary use | Outdoor and windy-site repair welding | Farm and ranch repair on small AC transformer welders |
Which should you use?
These two compete directly for outdoor repair work. Self-shielded E71T-11 feeds continuously, deposits considerably faster and is easier for a beginner to control, but it needs a wire feeder, a spool that has been kept dry, and it is usually limited to material under about 1/2 in. E6011 needs only a stick machine and a box of rods, digs deeper through rust and paint, handles any thickness, and stores indefinitely at room temperature. For a lot of light outdoor repair the wire wins on speed; for heavy or remote work the stick rod wins on simplicity.
Choose E71T-11 when
- Faster fill on light and medium plate
- Beginners who find arc length hard to control
- Repetitive repair work with a feeder available
Choose E6011 when
- Heavy plate and thick sections
- Remote work where a feeder is impractical
- Very dirty, painted or galvanized steel
- Long-term rod storage with no humidity concerns
Amperage compared
| Diameter | E71T-11 | E6011 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.030 in (0.8 mm) | 50–150 A | — |
| 0.035 in (0.9 mm) | 70–200 A | — |
| 0.045 in (1.2 mm) | 125–260 A | — |
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | — | 20–40 A |
| 3/32 in (2.4 mm) | — | 40–85 A |
| 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | — | 75–125 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | — | 110–160 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | — | 140–190 A |
Ranges are typical starting points. Diameters listed for only one electrode are shown as — for the other.
E71T-11 vs E6011 — common questions
Which penetrates deeper?
E6011 has the more digging arc and handles poor fit-up better. E71T-11 gives medium penetration, adequate for the light and medium plate it is rated for.
Which is cheaper to run?
Stick rod is cheaper per pound of deposited metal and needs no feeder, but flux-cored wire has a far higher duty cycle because you never stop to change electrodes.
Can either be used on structural steel?
Neither is typically accepted for structural code work — E6011 is not low hydrogen and E71T-11 has no impact requirement. E7018 or gas-shielded E71T-1 is the appropriate choice.
Full specifications
E71T-11
AWS A5.20/A5.20M
E71T-11 is self-shielded flux-cored wire — no gas bottle, runs DCEN, and works in wind, which makes it the standard gasless wire for small machines and outdoor repair.
E6011
AWS A5.1/A5.1M
E6011 is the AC-capable version of E6010 — deep penetration and a fast-freeze puddle that works on small transformer welders and dirty steel.