Welding Electrode Chart
Welding Electrode Classifications
Mild Steel Coated Electrodes
E7018-X
| E | Indicates that this is an electrode |
| 70 | Indicates how strong this electrode is when welded. Measured in thousands of pounds per square inch. |
| 1 | Indicates in what welding positions it can be used |
| 8 | Indicates the coating, penetration, and current type used (see the classification table below) |
| X | Indicates that there are more requirements. (See Additional Requirements below) |
Welding Positions
1 Flat, Horizontal, Vertical (up), Overhead
2 Flat, Horizontal
4 Flat, Horizontal, Overhead, Vertical (down)
Flat Position - usually groove welds, fillet welds only if welded like a "V"
Horizontal - Fillet welds, welds on walls (travel is from side to side).
Vertical - welds on walls (travel is either up or down).
Overhead - weld that needs to be done upside down.
Low Alloy Steel Coated Electrodes
| E | Indicates that this is an electrode |
| 70 | Indicates how strong this electrode is when welded. Measured in thousands of pounds per square inch. |
| 1 | Indicates in what welding positions it can be used |
| 8 | Indicates the coating, penetration, and current type used (see the classification table below) |
| X | Indicates that there are more requirements. (See Additional Requirements below) |
Welding Positions
Same as for Mild Steel Coated Electrodes
Classification Table
| Class | Electrode Coating | Penetration | Current Type |
| Exxx0 | Cellulose, Sodium | Deep | AC, DCEP |
| Exxx1 | Cellulose, Potassium | Deep | AC, DCEN |
| Exxx2 | Rutile, Sodium | Medium | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Exxx3 | Rutile, Potassium | Light | DCEP, DCEN |
| Exxx4 | Rutile, Iron, Powder, Medium | AC | |
| Exxx5 | Low Hydrogen, Sodium, Medium | DCEP | DCEP |
| Exxx6 | Low Hydrogen, Potassium, Medium | AC | AC, DCEN |
| Exxx7 | Iron Powder, Iron, Oxide | Medium | AC, DCEP |
| Exxx8 | Low Hydrogen, Iron, Powder | Medium | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Exxx9 | Iron Oxide, Rutile, Potassium | Medium |
Additional Requirements
| -1 | Increased toughness (impact strength) for E7018 electrodes. Also increased ductility in E7024 electrodes |
| -M | Meets most military requirements - greater toughness, lower moisture content as received after exposure, diffusible hydrogen limits for weld metal. |
| -H4 | Indicates the maximum diffusible hydrogen limit measured in millimeters per 100 grams (mL/100g). The 4, 8, and 16 indicates what the limit is. Example: -H4 = 4mL per 100 grams |
| -H8 | Indicates the maximum diffusible hydrogen limit measured in millimeters per 100 grams (mL/100g) |
| -H16 | The 4, 8, and 16 indicates what the limit is. Example: -H4 = 4mL per 100 grams |
Chemical Symbols For The Elements
| C | Carbon | Most effective hardening element in steel |
| Mn | Manganese | Hardening element second to carbon |
| Si | Silicon | Deoxidizer, moderate strengthener |
| P | Phosphorus | Causes cracking if too high |
| S | Sulfur | Aids in machining - Cracking problems like P |
| Cr | Chromium | Hardness (low) - corrosion resistance (high) |
| Ni | Nickel | Hardening element - better cold toughness |
| Mo | Molybdenum | Hardenability - high temp tensile - creep strength |
| B | Boron | Very small amounts increase hardness |
| Cu | Copper | Corrosion resistance (low) - cracking (high) |
| Al | Aluminum | Deoxidizer - improves mechanical properties |
| Ti | Titanium | Removes: Oxygen, S, N, and C |
| N | Nitrogen | Improves strength - lowers toughness |
| Nb | Niobium | Hardness - Improves mechanical properties (formerly Columbium [Cb]) |
| V | Vanadium | Hardness - Improves mechanical properties |
Suffix Table
| Suffix | Steel Alloy Type | Suffix Number Description | Suffix Number Description |
| -A1 | Carbon-Molybdenum | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo | |
| -B1 | Chromium-Molybdenum | 0.40 - 0.65 Cr | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo |
| -B2 | Chromium-Molybdenum | 1.00 - 1.50 Cr | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo |
| -B2L | Chromium-Molybdenum | Lower Carbon B2 | |
| -B3 | Chromium-Molybdenum | 2.00 - 2.50 Cr | 0.90 - 1.20 Mo |
| -B3L | Chromium-Molybdenum | Lower Carbon B3 | |
| -B4L | Chromium-Molybdenum | 1.75 - 2.25 Cr | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo |
| -B5 | Chromium-Molybdenum | 0.40 - 0.60 Cr | 1.00 - 1.25 Mo |
| -B6 | was | E502 4.6 - 6.0 | Cr 0.45 - 0.65 |
| -B8 | was | E505 8.0 - 10.5 | Cr 0.8 - 1.2 |
| -C1 | Nickel Steel | 2.00 - 2.75 Ni | |
| -C1L | Nickel Steel | Lower Carbon C1 | |
| -C2 | Nickel Steel | 3.00 - 3.75 Ni | |
| -C2L | Nickel Steel | Lower Carbon C2 | |
| -C3 | Nickel Steel | 0.80 - 1.10 Ni | |
| -NM | Nickel-Molybdenum | 0.80 - 1.10 Ni | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo |
| -D1 | Manganese-Molybdenum | 1.00 - 1.75 Mn | 0.25 - 0.45 Mo |
| -D2 | Manganese-Molybdenum | 1.65 - 2.00 Mn | 0.25 - 0.45 Mo |
| -D3 | Manganese-Molybdenum | 1.00 - 1.80 Mn | 0.40 - 0.65 Mo |
| -W | Weathering | Steel Ni, Cr, Mo, Cu | |
| -G | No required chemistry | ||
| -M | Military grade | May have more requirements |
| Class | Min. Tensile Strength | Min. Yield Strength |
| E60xx | 62,000 psi | 50,000 psi |
| E70xx | 70,000 psi | 57,000 psi |
| E80xx | 80,000 psi | 67,000 psi |
| E90xx | 90,000 psi | 77,000 psi |
| E100xx | 100,000 psi | 87,000 psi |
| E110xx | 110,000 psi | 95,000 psi |
| E120xx | 120,000 psi | 107,000 psi |
Common Industry Applications of MIG Welding
Pound for pound of filler metal used, MIG welding (Metal Intert Gas, also known as GMAW) is one of the most popular welding processes. A key contributor to the success of the process is its versatility: it can produce high-quality welds with good productivity on a range of material thicknesses and compositions.
Applications of Flux-Cored Welding
The heart of the flux-cored arc welding process is the tubular wire electrode that makes the FCAW process fundamentally different from MIG. Rather than just conducting an electric arc and providing filler to the molten weld pool, the tubular construction of the flux-cored wires allows it to be packed with slag formers similar in nature to those found on the outside of stick electrodes used for SMAW.
Stud Welding Applications
Stud welding is a highly versatile welding process for fasteners and bolts. It can weld studs to all electrically conductive metals, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Industries of every stripe use stud welding in one way or another. So, let’s examine how different parts of the most prominent industries use it to improve part fabrication efficiency and how you can benefit from our stud welder rentals.
Welding Alloys for Petrochemical Applications
The petrochemical industry relies on a significant number of highly exotic alloys for the efficient and safe operation of pressure vessels, process piping, and other equipment. The processing and storage units in petrochemical facilities undergo extreme temperature and pressure swings. So, the petrochemical equipment is made from alloys with particular characteristics that enable it to endure corrosive agents and high temperatures.
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