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
- Polarity in which electrode can be used
- Flux composition
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
- Polarity in which electrode can be used
- Flux composition
Flux Composition details (Last two digits of the electrodes)
- 10 – High Cellulose Sodium
- 11 – High Cellulose Potassium
- 12 – High Titania Sodium
- 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;
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:
- E6010 = High cellulose sodium flux. DCEP for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions
- E6011 = High cellulose potassium flux. AC or DCEP for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions
- E6012 = High titania sodium flux. AC or DCEN for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions.
- E6013 = High titania potassium flux. AC, DCEP, or DCEN for flat, vertical, overhead, and horizontal positions.
- 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
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).