5/21/2021 Welding electrodes – Understanding the SMAW electrode symbols | welding & NDT

Welding electrodes – Understanding the SMAW

electrode symbols
August 4, 2017 Sandeep Anand 6 Comments E6010, E6013, E7018, electrode symbols, welding electrodes

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) electrodes are designated by “E” followed by four (or five) digits for example:
E7018, E6013 or E10018. I will explain the meaning of these symbols:

IF THE ELECTRODE HAS “E” FOLLOWED

BY FOUR DIGITS (FOR EX. E7018)

E – Stands for electrode

XX – First two digits designates the minimum tensile strength in Ksi (XX * 1000 Psi)

X – Second last digit designates position for which the electrode can be used

1 – Flat, Vertical, Overhead and horizontal (All Position)

2 – Horizontal-Fillet & Flat
3 – Flat, Horizontal, Overhead and Vertical-downwards

XX – Last two digits together shows two things

1. Polarity in which electrode can be used

2. Flux composition

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IF THE ELECTRODE HAS “E” FOLLOWED

BY FIVE DIGITS (FOR EX. E10018)

E – Stands for electrode

XXX – First three digits designates the minimum tensile strength in Ksi (XX* 1000 Psi)

X – Second last digit is for position, in which the electrode can be used

1 – Flat, Vertical, Overhead and horizontal (All Position)

2 – Horizontal-Fillet & Flat
3 – Flat, Horizontal, Overhead and Vertical-downwards

XX – Last two digits together shows two things

1. Polarity in which electrode can be used

2. Flux composition

Flux Composition details (Last two digits of

the electrodes)
10 – High Cellulose Sodium
11 – High Cellulose Potassium
12 – High Titania Sodium

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13 – High Titania Potassium

14 – Iron powder, Titania
15 – Low-Hydrogen Sodium
16 – Low-Hydrogen Potassium
18 – Low-hydrogen potassium, iron powder
19 – Iron oxide Titania Potassium
20 – High Iron Oxide
22 – High Iron Oxide
24 – Iron power, Titania
27 – High Iron Oxide, Iron powder
28 – Low-Hydrogen Potassium, Iron powder
48 – Low-Hydrogen Potassium, Iron powder

For example, E7018 means;

The following image shows shielded metal arc welding

(SMAW) electrodes;

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SOME OPTIONAL INFORMATION MAY ALSO

BE GIVEN SUCH AS:
EXXXX-1
1 designates that it will meet improved toughness OR ductility

EXXXX-H4R
“H4” designates that it will meet 4ml average diffusible hydrogen content with 100 grams of weld deposit

“R” identifies electrodes passing the absorbed moisture test

SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR ELECTRODES

AND THEIR MEANING ARE GIVEN BELOW:
1. E6010 = High cellulose sodium flux. DCEP for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions
2. E6011 = High cellulose potassium flux. AC or DCEP for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions
3. E6012 = High titania sodium flux. AC or DCEN for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions.
4. E6013 = High titania potassium flux. AC, DCEP, or DCEN for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal
positions.
5. E7018 = low-hydrogen potassium, iron powder flux. AC or DCEP for flat, vertical, overhead, and
horizontal positions.

Abbreviations: AC – Alternating Current

DCEP – Direct current electrode positive (Reverse Polarity)

DCEN – Direct current electrode Negative (Straight Polarity)

Typical current (Amperage) ranges for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) electrodes are given below (Table 1);

Table 1

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Note: Typical current (Amperage) ranges for carbon steel electrodes used in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
electrodes can be found in table A4 of ASME Section IIC (SFA 5.1/SFA 5.1M).

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