Anyone in a skill-based job has to learn continuously. You will always face new situations in your latest project. In particular, newcomers to the welding community need at least a basic understanding of how to do their job without having an accident or making no mistake in the whole welding process.
One of the things they struggle with is using the right electrodes; and let me tell you it does make a whole lot of difference to your end product. But I understand a novice welder’s predicament, because to them all electrodes would look the same.
Two very important apparatus a welder would need are the 6010 and 7018 welding electrodes. They’re used for 2 different things so you absolutely can’t mix them up.
In this short article, you will get all the attributes of these electrodes. We’ll see how 6010 vs 7018 electrodes compare!
6010 vs 7018 Welding Electrodes: Let’s find out what the difference is
If you don’t want to make any mistake after starting your welding task, it’s necessary to have a deeper idea about both 6010 and 7018 electrodes.
Though there are many similarities between the 6010 & 7018 welding rods, the difference is quite significant. The major difference between 6010 and 7018 is the welding current, flux material, arc characteristics, storage process, tensile strength, penetration level, and metal to work on.
When you know the details, your performance will increase without any doubt. So let’s explore the difference between these two welding rods in the following…
6010 Welding Electrode
Just like any other technical stuff, the 6010 welding electrode has its own features like welding position, tensile strength, arc pattern, penetration level etc. In the below you will see them..
Welding Position
Unlike many other welding rods, you can use the 6010 electrodes from any position. For example : horizontal & vertical etc. However, a newbie will find it difficult to use it.
Appropriate industry
Adding to that, they are appropriate for working in versatile places like the vehicle repairing industry, shipbuilding industry, construction project, and pipe welding sector because it has high resistance against the weld metals.
Penetration level
One of the advantages you will get from the 6010 stick electrode is that these are free form porosity issues. When it comes to penetration, this electrode can do deep penetration welding which makes it a highly suitable option for welding on surfaces like rusty, dirty and galvanized metal surfaces.
Polarity
What’s more, is that the 6010 welding rod only supports DC-powered machines. So you won’t be able to connect them to an AC run welding machine which is a major drawback of this electrode.
Storing procedure
Another great advantage of the 6010 electrodes is you don’t need to store them under any specific high-temperature zone. All you need is to ensure the electrodes are not exposed to water and you can store them in a normal temperature zone.
Arc characteristics, tensile Strength and composition
Because of the violent arc, you can follow the whip and pause technique to maintain the overall temperature of the weld pool while using the 6010 electrodes during welding. When it comes to tensile strength, the 6010 rods have lesser strength than the 7018 rods.
Right metal to work on
6010 welding rods are perfect for welding on mild steel. But you aren’t able to use them on thin sheet metal due to the powerful amperage.
Safety level
The 6010 rod does not have a thick coating so the weld fume mixes with the air without any filtering which is bad for the welder’s health.
Slag level
During welding, the 6010 welding rods generate thin slag but they are a bit tough to clean compared to the slag of 7018 welding rods. In addition to that, the 6010 electrodes can burn at a very high speed so it becomes a good choice for working on tight angles plus downhill passes.
Additional Read: 6010 Vs 6011 Welding Rods
7018 Welding Electrode
Having much of similarity, there still remain difference and in the below you will see the features of 7018 welding electrodes.
Welding Position
While you can use the 7018 welding rod in all positions, it will give poor results in some specific positions. To weld vertically, you need higher heat than usual. With this electrode, you will experience a spatter-free and quiet running experience during working on your weld metal.
Arch Characteristics, tensile strength & composition
Because of the low hydrogen material, these rods produce smooth and stable arcs so a novice welder can use them. This outstanding electrode can generate a stronger weld and its tensile strength is much higher than the 6010 welding rod.
Appropriate industry
The 7018 welding rods are mostly used in sectors like structural welding, building pressure vessels, storage tanks, heavy-duty machinery making, energy power plants, dams, and shipping industry, etc.
Storing Procedure
The storing of the 7018 electrodes is a bit complex due to the low hydrogen coating. You have to store them in a 250 F temperature oven & make sure they are not having any exposure to moisture before use.
Penetration Level
Another disadvantage of using 7018 welding rods is they have porosity problems due to the large percentage of cobalt. In terms of penetration, these welding rods do medium penetration and need a low amount of heat so they are suitable for working on thin metals.
Right metal to work on
Due to the moderate penetration, the 7018 welding rod is not appropriate if you want to work on rusty metals and dirty metals. For the best outcome, you should use this welding rod on medium to high carbon steel plus low alloy metals.
Polarity
In terms of polarity, the 7018 welding rod will be more flexible. You can connect the welding rod to both AC and DC current. Though this electrode produces a good amount of slag, removing them is quite easy.
Safety level
The nickel coating of this electrode ensures welding fume extraction which makes it safer for the professional welder’s health.
Welding Electrodes 6010 vs 7018 : Head to Head
For your benefit, here below I am giving a table where you can clearly see the difference between the 6010 & 7018 welding rods at a glance.
| 6010 | 7018 | |
| Tensile strength | 60,000 psi | 70,000 psi |
| Welding position | Suitable for all positions | Suitable for all positions |
| Flux material | High Cellulose sodium | 25% Iron Powder Low Hydrogen |
| Penetration level | Deep | Meidum |
| Welding current | DC | Both AC and DC |
| Material | Mild steel | Mild steel |
| Arc type | Tight | Smooth |
| Slag type | Thin & Flaky | Thick |
What does the number of welding rods indicate?
As a professional welder, it’s crucial for you to know the meaning of the number of welding rods.
Among the four-digit numbers, the first two digits refer to the tensile strength of your welding rod. In the case of 6010 & 7018, the first 2 digits are ‘’60’’ & ‘’70’’ which means 60,000 pounds and 70,000 pounds consecutively.
The third digit of the code means the working position of the welding rods. So both the 6010 and 7018 electrodes can be used in all positions.
Finally, the last two digits will tell you about the coating or flux material of the stick welding rod. From the coating, you will be able to know the penetration level, appropriate metal to work on, and how to store the welding rods.
Final Words
If you know how to play with the welding rod then it would be easy for you to work with both of the electrodes.
However, for a novice, the 7018 would be a better option while the 6010 would be excellent if you want to work on any dirty metal surface. If you want the weld to be long lasting then it would be best to use the 7018 welding rod.
I tried my best to give you a clear picture of both of them. Hopefully, now you know the whole scenario of 6010 vs 7018 electrodes.
