AWS A5.20/A5.20M · Flux-Cored
E71T-11 Welding Electrode
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.
- 70 ksi tensile
- Polarity DCEN
- 4 positions
- Medium penetration
- Flux-Cored (FCAW)
What E71T-11 means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Electrode |
| 7 | 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength |
| 1 | All welding positions |
| T | Tubular (flux-cored) wire |
| -11 | Self-shielded, DCEN, general purpose, no impact toughness requirement |
E71T-11 specifications
| AWS specification | AWS A5.20/A5.20M |
|---|---|
| Process | Flux-Cored (FCAW) |
| Form | Tubular wire |
| Polarity | DCEN |
| Welding positions | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead |
| Tensile strength (min) | 70 ksi (480 MPa) |
| Yield strength (min) | 58 ksi (400 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 20% |
| Impact toughness | Not required by AWS A5.20 for the -11 classification |
| Coating / core | Self-shielding flux core inside a mild steel sheath |
| Penetration | Medium |
| Deposition rate | High |
| Slag | Heavy and fast-freezing; peels off but leaves more to clean than gas-shielded wire |
| Arc character | Somewhat harsh with visible spatter, especially at low settings |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielded |
E71T-11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.030 in (0.8 mm) | 50–150 A | 100 A |
| 0.035 in (0.9 mm) | 70–200 A | 135 A |
| 0.045 in (1.2 mm) | 125–260 A | 192 A |
Polarity: DCEN, electrode negative. Small MIG machines usually require swapping the gun and work leads at the terminals inside the case. Running it on DCEP produces a wandering arc and heavy spatter.
Shielding gas for E71T-11
| Gas | Notes |
|---|---|
| None | The flux core generates its own shielding gas and slag. Adding gas is unnecessary and will not improve the weld. |
Flow rate: Not applicable. Remove or bypass the gas solenoid connection when converting a MIG machine to gasless operation.
What E71T-11 is used for
- Outdoor and windy-site repair welding
- Farm, ranch and trailer repair
- Hobby and home-shop welding on small 120 V machines
- Field maintenance where carrying a gas bottle is impractical
- Welding on rusty, painted or galvanized steel
Base metals
- A36 and mild steel plate
- Galvanized steel with adequate ventilation
- Farm and automotive repair steel
- Light structural shapes
Characteristics
- No shielding gas required — the main reason it is chosen
- Wind tolerant, unlike solid MIG wire or gas-shielded flux core
- More spatter and smoke than any gas-shielded process
- No impact toughness requirement, and most manufacturers limit it to single or limited multi-pass work on material under about 1/2 in
- Runs DCEN, which is the reverse of both solid MIG wire and E71T-1
Storage and handling
Keep dry and sealed. Self-shielded flux core is hygroscopic and damp wire is the usual cause of porosity on gasless machines.
- Bag opened spools with desiccant, or store them in a heated cabinet.
- A spool left exposed in a humid garage will produce porosity within weeks.
- Run several feet off before starting real work on a spool that has been sitting.
- Discard wire with visible rust on the sheath.
Welding tips
- Check the polarity first — more gasless welding problems trace to DCEP than to anything else.
- Use a longer stickout than solid wire, roughly 1/2 to 3/4 in.
- Drag the gun, never push — pushing rolls the slag ahead of the puddle and traps it.
- Expect to chip slag; the appearance will never match gas-shielded MIG, and that is normal.
- For thicker plate or any code work, move to E71T-1 with gas or to a low-hydrogen stick electrode.
E71T-11 frequently asked questions
Does E71T-11 need shielding gas?
No. The flux inside the tubular wire generates its own shielding gas and slag cover, which is what makes it usable outdoors and on machines with no gas bottle.
Is E71T-11 DCEN or DCEP?
DCEN, electrode negative. Most small MIG machines ship set up for DCEP solid wire, so the gun and work leads must be swapped. Wrong polarity gives an erratic, spattery arc.
How thick can you weld with E71T-11?
Manufacturers commonly limit it to material under about 1/2 in, and many restrict it to single-pass or limited multi-pass welds. Check the specific product data sheet — the limits vary by brand and are a real restriction, not a suggestion.
Why does my gasless flux core weld look so bad?
Usually one of four things: reversed polarity, too short a stickout, pushing instead of dragging the gun, or damp wire. Self-shielded wire also produces more spatter than gas-shielded processes even when everything is right.
Can E71T-11 be used on structural steel?
It has no impact toughness requirement and is usually thickness limited, so it is generally not used for structural code work. E71T-1 with gas, or E7018, is the appropriate choice there.
Compare E71T-11 with
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