E7024 Jet Rod: High-Deposition Flat & Horizontal Welding
When the joint is flat or a horizontal fillet and the priority is getting metal into it fast, E7024 is the rod shop hands reach for. Often called a "jet rod" or "drag rod," it carries a heavy iron-powder coating that lets you rest the electrode against the work and pull it along the joint. This guide covers what the classification means, where E7024 belongs, the amperage ranges by diameter, and how to buy it in bulk without overpaying.
What E7024 actually is
HYW E7024 Premium Arc Stick Electrodes are a high-deposition, iron-powder electrode built for fast, high-production welding in the flat and horizontal-fillet positions, supplied in 14 in lengths in a 50 lb hermetically sealed steel can. The heavy iron-powder coating produces smooth, high-speed beads with deep, uniform fill and a slag that largely peels itself.
The AWS A5.1 designation decodes cleanly:
- E — covered arc-welding electrode
- 70 — 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength
- 2 — flat and horizontal fillet positions only
- 4 — iron powder / titania coating, operable on AC or DC either polarity
The third digit is the one buyers overlook. E7024 is not a vertical or overhead rod. Ask it to climb a joint and it will run away from you. Keep it flat and horizontal and it will out-deposit almost anything else in the can rack. For a fuller walk-through of the code, see our stick electrode amperage chart by rod size.
Published properties
| Property | HYW E7024 |
|---|---|
| AWS classification | AWS A5.1 / ASME SFA-5.1 E7024 |
| Tensile strength | 70,000 psi (483 MPa) min — typ. 78,000 psi |
| Yield strength | 58,000 psi (400 MPa) min — typ. 65,000 psi |
| Elongation (2 in) | 17% min — typ. 22% |
| Charpy V-notch | Not required (typ. 50 ft·lbf @ 32 °F) |
| Welding current | AC or DC± (DCEP / DCEN) |
| Positions | Flat and horizontal fillet only |
| Coating | Iron powder, titania (high deposition) |
Amperage by electrode diameter
All HYW E7024 sizes are 14 in long. Start in the middle of the range and adjust to the plate:
| Diameter | Recommended amperage |
|---|---|
| 3/32 in | 100 – 145 A |
| 1/8 in | 140 – 200 A |
| 5/32 in | 180 – 250 A |
These ranges are general guidelines. Optimal settings vary with base-metal thickness, joint design and fit-up.
Where E7024 fits against the other mild steel rods
| Electrode | Min. tensile | Positions | Where it earns its keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| E7024 | 70 ksi | Flat, horizontal fillet | High-deposition production fillets on heavy plate |
| E7018 | 70 ksi | All positions | Low-hydrogen structural and code work |
| E6013 | 60 ksi | All positions | Light general repair and thinner material |
| E6010 | 60 ksi | All positions | Deep-penetrating root passes on DCEP |
Read it this way: E7024 is a production rod, not a utility rod. It does one job and does it faster than the alternatives.
Running the drag technique
- Rest the flux coating on the joint and drag — no long arc, no weave gymnastics.
- Keep the travel angle consistent; the iron powder does the filling for you.
- Let the slag cool a moment. On a properly run bead it lifts in one piece.
- If the bead crowns and the slag sticks, you are usually too cold or moving too slowly.
Typical applications
- Heavy plate and structural fillet welds
- High-production and repetitive fabrication
- Flat-position groove and lap joints
- Shipbuilding, machinery and general steel fabrication
Buying: 50 lb sealed can vs 10 lb box
E7024 is not a low-hydrogen rod, so it does not demand a rod oven the way E7018 does — but the coating still needs to stay dry. The 50 lb hermetically sealed steel can solves that on the shelf: sealed at the factory, opened when you need it. If you burn E7024 weekly, the can is the obvious buy. The 10 lb box makes sense for a second size you only occasionally need, or for a jobsite kit. More on why the seal matters in our guide to hermetically sealed electrode cans and shelf life.
Shop HYW E7024
E7024 14 in Stick Electrodes — 50 lb Hermetically Sealed Can in 3/32 in, 1/8 in and 5/32 in.
E7024 14 in Stick Electrodes — 10 lb Box for smaller runs.
Browse the full mild steel stick electrode collection, or request a quote for pallet quantities and freight to your ZIP.
FAQ
Can I weld vertical or overhead with E7024?
No. The "2" in the classification restricts it to flat and horizontal fillet positions. For out-of-position work, move to an all-position rod such as E7018 or E6013.
Does E7024 need a rod oven?
It is not a low-hydrogen electrode, so it does not carry the re-dry requirements E7018 does. Store the sealed can in a dry location and keep opened rods out of humidity.
AC or DC?
Either. E7024 runs on AC or DC in both polarities, which makes it friendly to older AC buzz-box machines as well as modern inverters.
Why does my E7024 bead look ropey?
Usually amperage or travel speed. Compare your setting against the range for your diameter above and adjust in small steps rather than jumping across the range.
What thickness is E7024 meant for?
It is at its best on heavier plate and repetitive fillets where deposition rate pays. On thin sheet, a smaller-diameter all-position rod gives you more control.
Safety: Welding fumes are hazardous. Use adequate ventilation or fume extraction, wear appropriate eye, skin and respiratory protection, and follow ANSI Z49.1 and your employer's safe-practice procedures. This product can expose you to chemicals including manganese, known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm; welding fumes can also expose you to chemicals known to cause cancer. See www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.