Differentiate between 6013 and 7018 welding rods

The First Two Welding Stick Numbers

The most common electrode rods will start with 60 or 70. These digits correspond to how many kilopounds per square inch (KSI) of tensile strength the electrode will create. So, what do the 60 in e6018 and the 70 in e7018 stand for? 60 signifies 60,000 pounds, while 70 equals 70,000 pounds. Thus, in many cases, the weld is stronger than the materials you're fusing.

If welding for a simple home project, you will likely use a lower number electrode. But if you’re welding metal for a large-scale project, such as a construction site, you may require an electrode with a higher number.

The Last Two Numbers

Once you know how many KSI you need, you can look at the second set of digits corresponding to the rod’s flux coating. Higher numbers mean the rod has more coating. A 7018 rod will have more coating, while a 6013 rod will have less.

The Third Number

In addition to being part of the coating scale, the third number also signifies one of three possible electrode positions. The number 1 indicates an all-position electrode, which is the most flexible. The number 2 means flat or horizontal, while 4 means flat, horizontal, vertical down, and overhead.

What Does the Letter “E” Signify on my Stick Welding Rod?

If the letter “E” appears on your welding rod, it can be ignored. The “E” refers to “electrode,” another name for a welding stick. There is no difference between rods with or without the “E.” It’s only the four-digit number that matters.