E6013 Welding Rod or Electrode: Specification, Settings, Polarity, and Amps
The E6013 welding rod is considered one of the most commonly used rods for amateurs and beginners. Hence, it is also known as ‘sheet metal rod’, ‘beginners’ rod’, or ‘easy rod’. It is a mild-steel, Rutile-based, all-position and general-purpose rod.
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| E6013 Electrode |
E6013 is characterized as follows:
- E stands for electrode.
- 60 stands for tensile strength which is almost 60,000 pounds per inch.
- 1 stands for the electrode position. This welding rod can be used in all four positions: flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
- 3 stands for the type of slag, flux composition, and power supply. This welding rod can be used for AC or DC straight and reverse polarity.
E6013 electrode flux coating contains ferromanganese, cellulose, rutile, potassium silicate as a binder, and other siliceous materials. The potassium compounds allow it to operate with AC at low amperages and low open-circuit voltages. When the coating burns, the flux coating of this electrode creates carbon dioxide. It also has a high presence of titanium.
6013 welding rod has its applications in:
- General purpose fabrication
- Shipbuilding and repair
- Metal buildings and structures
- Machine parts
- Thin sheet metal welding
- Shaft buildup
- Welding of vehicles
- Excessively machined and damaged mild steel
It makes a good choice when there is poor fit up to the joint as it provides a stable arc. It has a quieter arc and smooth bead surface with a fine ripple profile. It deposits effortlessly, producing medium to shallow penetration. You can also easily remove the slag produced by it.
E6013 welding rod is also ideal for filling on multi-pass welds which require putting one layer after another to produce the weld. It is convenient to work with this electrode when welders work with short or uneven welds that need positional adjustment.
E6013 welding rod is known for its characteristic for creating a smooth inside root due to which it lets the welder move easily and quickly, Hence known as welder friendly. Further, it has a bright and clean backside slag formation which indicates less oxidation. This is an important and useful quality when the welder is doing a root pass weld, especially in pressurized situations.
The correct welding current or amperage primarily depends on the diameter of the electrode. The diameter can be 2.5mm, 3.2mm, 4mm, and 5mm with amperages of 70, 100, 150, and 190 respectively. Hence, it is important to adjust the settings of the amperage based on the size of the electrode and base metal. It is advisable to use a wire brush to clean the metal before welding so that penetration can happen easily and smoothly.
E6013 welding rod is an excellent choice for welders who need a versatile and deep-penetrating steel electrode with smooth and stable art.
Characteristics of E6013 Electrode:
- Versatility: E6013 electrodes are suitable for various welding applications, including ferrous metals and mild steel. They are ideal for welding thin sheets and small-diameter pipes.
- All-Position Welding: These electrodes are designed for welding in all positions, making them highly versatile for various welding tasks.
- Smooth Arc Action: E6013 electrodes provide a stable and smooth arc, which helps in creating clean and aesthetically pleasing welds. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for beginners.
- Easy Slag Removal: The slag formed during welding with E6013 electrodes is relatively easy to remove, which simplifies post-weld cleanup and inspection.
- Moderate Penetration: These electrodes offer moderate penetration, making them suitable for welding thin to medium-thickness materials without burning through.
