Welding electrode for carbon steel tube 1

[PAN]

In SMAW process, parent metal is carbon steel tube (tensile strength 50 ksi) and ASTM A234-WPB. The joint is fillet weld. Can select AWS A5.1 E6010 for this application? The tube thickness is only 2.0 mm. Are there any problems if I select the electrode diameter of 2.6 mm? Please comment.

 

[Ron]

You can use the E6010 electrode, but E7018 would probably be much easier to control the weld quality and give you a better looking weld as well.

 

[PAN]

Ron,

Thanks for your comment. If these tubes join with the lower strength material (tensile strength <50 ksi), should I still use E7018?

 

[TheBlacksmith]

I have always found the 6013 rod (low slag)to be relatively easy to control with a nice appearance, but maybe I'm just different. A lot of my friends swear by the 7018 though.

Blacksmith

 

[welding1]

A 6010 is a cellulose electrode for deep penetration used mainly for root welding pipes. 2mm thick is a bit thin for SMAW you would be better with GMAW. A 2.5mm electrode is as the smallest I have come across.

A 7018 or 7016 would give a good quality high strength weld, which I think would be wasted on 50 ksi material. A 6013 would be my choice; it would give the neatest appearance.

Talk to a good consumable manufacturer.

http://www.gowelding.com

 

[Weldan]

You will have a somewhat difficult time using SMAW on the thin walled tube (2mm). Regarding 7018 vs 6010: 7018 is a low hydrogen electrode which means it will pick up less moisture in the electrode which will result in a lower chance of hydrogen cracking after welding. Also, if you are welding around the tube including vertical down and overhead orientation, you will not be able to do it with 7018. 6010 is made for all-position welding and you would be better off with this.

For the thin walled tube I would consider TIG or MIG. TIG allows greater control over the heat input. This will reduce the chance of burn through during welding. However, operator skill required is greater than that of SMAW or MIG. If you choose MIG welding, operator skill required is minimal. Some of the newer power sources such as Lincolns STT machine are suited for using a solid MIG wire and welding on thin walled tube. They control the heat during welding automatically and perform very well on thin walled tube. An STT machine with .045-in solid wire is the way I would go.

 

I HAVE FOUND THAT 7014 ARE GOOD MULTI USE ROD FOR WHAT YOU ARE DONG

 

[PAN]

Dear sirs,
I appreciate your comments in this subject. I will select TIG welding process, if the torch can go in the narrow space between tubes. Unfortunately, I think the SMAW may be required in some locations. From above comments, I agree with &quot;welding1&quot; that 70XX would be wasted on 50 ksi material. In this case, 6013 (Dia. 2.0 mm.) would give shallow penetration and be suitable for the application. Thanks...