Welding Rod Guide: E6013 vs E7018 and Picking Electrodes for Site Work

Stick-welding electrodes carry a code that tells you their strength and how they run. Two rods cover most general site welding.

Reading the code

On an E7018 electrode, the first digits (70) are the tensile strength in ksi, and the last digits describe position and coating. Once you can read it, you can match the rod to the job.

E6013, the general-purpose rod

E6013 is easy to strike and run, tolerant of less-than-perfect fit-up and mill scale, and forgiving for lighter fabrication and general repair. A good all-round site rod.

E7018, the low-hydrogen structural rod

E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode giving stronger, tougher, crack-resistant welds for structural steel. It needs cleaner preparation and dry storage but delivers where strength matters.

Stocking rods

We supply site-grade electrodes and tungsten for TIG, plus the cutting and grinding discs and PPE that go with welding work. Tell us your electrode class and quantity for a quote.