E7018 Welding Rod: Complete Buyer's Guide
E7018 is the rod that shows up on virtually every structural jobsite, and it's HYW's single best-selling welding consumable. It's also the rod that trips up the most buyers — low-hydrogen electrodes have specific amperage, polarity, and storage requirements that E6013 and E6011 simply don't. This guide covers what E7018 actually is, how to pick a diameter, what to run your machine at, how to buy it, and how to keep it dry once the can is open.
What Is an E7018 Electrode?
E7018 is a low-hydrogen, iron-powder stick electrode classified under AWS A5.1 / ASME SFA-5.1. Reading the code left to right: E for electrode, 70 for a minimum 70,000 psi tensile strength, 1 for all-position capability, and 8 for the low-hydrogen iron-powder coating that runs on AC or DC+. That low-hydrogen coating is the whole point — it keeps diffusible hydrogen out of the weld metal, which is what prevents underbead cracking in thick, highly restrained, or high-strength joints.
The trade-off is that the coating is hygroscopic: it pulls moisture out of the air. That's why HYW's E7018 ships in a 50 lb hermetically sealed steel can rather than a cardboard box — the rods arrive dry and ready to weld, not already compromised on the shelf.
E7018 Specifications at a Glance
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.1 / ASME SFA-5.1 E7018 (low hydrogen) |
| Coating | Low-hydrogen iron powder |
| Tensile Strength | 70,000 psi min — typ. 76,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 58,000 psi min — typ. 64,000 psi |
| Elongation (2 in) | 22% min — typ. 28% |
| Charpy V-Notch Impact | 20 ft·lbf @ -20 °F min — typ. 60+ ft·lbf |
| Current / Polarity | AC or DC+ (DCEP) |
| Positions | All — flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead |
Those Charpy numbers are the reason E7018 gets specified for cold-service and code work: the deposit stays tough at sub-zero temperatures, where a general-purpose rod would not be qualified.
Choosing a Diameter and Setting Your Amps
HYW stocks E7018 in three 14" diameters. Match the rod to the plate thickness and the position you're welding — and remember that vertical and overhead passes generally run at the lower end of each range.
| Diameter (× 14") | Recommended Amperage | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 3/32" | 70 – 100 A | Thinner sections, out-of-position passes, tight joints |
| 1/8" | 90 – 150 A | The all-around shop size — most structural work starts here |
| 5/32" | 130 – 200 A | Heavy plate, flat and horizontal fill passes, high deposition |
If you only stock one size, make it 1/8". It covers the widest span of structural and repair work and runs comfortably on most shop machines. These ranges are starting points — final settings depend on base-metal thickness, joint design, and position.
Where E7018 Earns Its Keep
- Structural steel and building construction
- Pressure vessels and piping
- Bridges, heavy equipment, and high-restraint joints
- High-strength and code-governed fabrication where radiographic quality is required
- Repair welds on thick or previously cracked sections
If your work is light-gauge, cosmetic, or general-purpose rather than code-driven, a low-hydrogen rod may be more electrode than you need — our E6013 vs. E7018 comparison walks through where each one belongs.
Buying: 10 lb Package or 50 lb Sealed Can?
The right package depends on how fast you'll burn through it. A 10 lb package suits maintenance carts, service trucks, and shops that reach for 7018 occasionally — small enough that the rods get used before storage becomes an issue. The 50 lb hermetically sealed can is the production and structural-crew choice: a lower cost per pound, and the seal means you can stage cans on the shelf and open them as needed rather than fighting moisture in an opened box.
Fabricators buying by the pallet, and distributors reselling to trade accounts, should ask us for bulk and pallet pricing rather than ordering at list.
Once the Can Is Open
Low-hydrogen electrodes are only low-hydrogen while they're dry. After opening, store E7018 in a heated rod oven, and redry per AWS and manufacturer guidance if the rods have been exposed to moisture. Rods that have sat out in humid air can introduce porosity and hydrogen cracking into exactly the joints you chose E7018 to protect. Our full E7018 storage and redry guide covers oven temperatures and holding practice in detail.
3/32", 1/8", and 5/32" — 10 lb packages and 50 lb hermetically sealed cans, with bulk pricing available.
Shop E7018 Electrodes → · 50 lb Sealed Can → · All Stick Electrodes →
Frequently Asked Questions
What polarity does E7018 run on?
AC or DC+ (DCEP, electrode positive). Having both options means the same rod works on an engine drive, a transformer buzz box, or a modern inverter.
What does the "18" in E7018 mean?
The last two digits describe position and coating together: 1 means all-position, and 8 means a low-hydrogen iron-powder coating usable on AC or DC+. It's the coating designation, not a strength rating.
Which diameter should I buy first?
1/8". At 90–150 A it handles the majority of structural and heavy repair work, and it's the size most shops keep in continuous stock.
Why does E7018 need a sealed can?
The low-hydrogen coating absorbs atmospheric moisture, and moisture is the source of the diffusible hydrogen that causes underbead cracking. A hermetically sealed steel can keeps the rods dry from the mill to your bench.
Is E7018 good for out-of-position welding?
Yes — it's an all-position electrode covering flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. Drop toward the low end of the amperage range for vertical and overhead passes to keep the puddle controllable.
Welding produces fumes and UV radiation. Always follow proper safety practices, ventilation, and PPE, and weld to your applicable procedure or code. Recommended amperage ranges are general guidelines only.