Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Cebu Province
DISTRICT OF BALAMBAN II
School : BUANOY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Inclusive Week: WEEK 7
Grade/Section : GRADE 9 Subject Area: SMAW 9
I. MELC : Identify welding electrodes according to classification and
specifications. (TLE_IAAW9WM-If-4)
II. Objectives : In this activity, you will be able to:
Knowledge : identify welding electrodes according to classification and
specifications
Skills : determine electrodes according to use and specifications
Values/Attitude : promote critical thinking among the learners in performing the activities
III. Subject Matter : Identify welding electrodes according to classification and
specifications.
IV. References
Curriculum guide
Pipingengineer.org
Thefabricator.com
Venzwelding.com
Weldguru.com
Weldingheadquarters.com
V. Procedure
A. Readings
WELDING ELECTRODE CLASSIFICATIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
An electrode is a coated metal wire. It is made of materials similar to the metal being
welded. For starters, there are consumable and non-consumable electrodes. In shield metal arc
welding (SMAW) also known as stick, electrodes are consumable, which means that the electrode
is consumed during its use and melts with the weld.
The core wire in an SMAW electrode can be a solid drawn rod, a cast material, or a
fabricated core wire. The core wire conducts electric current to the arc to melt the base metal and
provides the filler material for the welding joint. The core wire may or may not be alloyed. Typical
core wire grades include carbon steel for mild steel and low-alloy electrodes and stainless core
wire for stainless steel electrodes. The core wire conducts the electric current to the arc and
provides filler metal for the joint. The primary functions of the electrode covering are to provide arc
stability and to shield the molten metal from the atmosphere with gases created as the coating
decomposes from the heat of the arc.
The shielding employed along with other ingredients in the covering and the core wire,
largely controls the mechanical properties, chemical composition, and metallurgical structure of
the weld metal, as well as the arc characteristics of the electrode. The composition of the
electrode covering varies according to the type of electrode.
The three primary categories of electrodes—cellulose, rutile, and basic (low-hydrogen)—
obtain their name from the coating type. Electrode coatings help optimize performance for various
applications by influencing how quickly the slag freezes; penetration (deep, medium, or mild); and
deposition rate. The coating also contributes to good arc initiation, easy restrikes, puddle control,
and a stable arc with minimal spatter.
Cellulosic. The coating on a cellulosic electrode contains up to 30 percent or more wood
flour. The coating is relatively thin (12 to 15 percent of the electrode’s diameter) and produces a
thin, easily removable, fast-freezing slag suitable for all-position welding, including vertical-up and
vertical-down. Cellulosic electrodes provide a digging/driving arc with deep penetration. The weld
puddle wets and spreads well, demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, and has distinctive
ripples. Cellulosic electrodes include E6010, E7010, and E6011, which are typically used for pipe,
barges, farm repairs, maintenance work, and dirty plate.
Rutile. Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide. Rutile electrodes such as
E6013, E7014, and XXX-16 class stainless steel electrodes offer a soft arc with lighter penetration
than cellulosic electrodes. The slag is easily controlled, and the arc ignites and restrikes easily,
offering greater welder appeal. They typically are used in general fabrication applications where
mechanical properties for critical weldments are not required.
Basic. Basic electrodes offer an arc with medium penetration and excellent mechanical
properties. The coating is low-hydrogen iron powder, TiO 2, CaCO3, and CaF2 (calcium fluoride).
The coating is of medium thickness, and the addition of iron powder increases deposition. It
freezes relatively fast to enable flat, horizontal, vertical-up, and overhead welding. Basic
electrodes such as E7018 are used for critical welds in structural steel construction, bridges, ships,
and offshore oil and gas applications where mechanical properties are important.
Choosing an electrode is determined by the requirements of the welding job. These include:
Tensile strength
Ductility
Corrosion resistance
Base metal
Weld position
Polarity
Current
The American Welding Society (AWS) has a numbering system that offers information
about a specific electrode, such as what application it is best used for and how it should be
operated for maximum efficacy.
1. E – indicates electrode for arc welding.
2. The first two (or three) digits – indicate tensile strength (the resistance of the
material to forces trying to pull it apart) in thousands of pounds per square inch of the
deposited metal.
3. The third (or fourth) digit – indicates the position of the weld. 0 indicates the
classification is not used; 1 is for all positions; 2 is for flat and horizontal positions
only; 3 is for flat position only and 4 is for vertical down.
4. The fourth (or fifth) digit – indicates the type of electrode coating and the type of
power supply used; alternating or direct current, straight or reverse polarity.
5. The types of coating, welding current, and polarity position designated by the fourth
(or fifth) identifying digit of the electrode classification are listed in the table 5-4
below.
6. The number E6010 – indicates an arc welding electrode with minimum stress
relieved tensile strength of 60,000 psi; is used in all positions, and reverse polarity
direct current is required.
Coating, Current and Polarity Types Designated by the Fourth Digit in the Electrode
Classification Number
Digit Coating Weld Current
1 Cellulose Potassium AC, DC
2 Titania sodium AC, DC (Straight Polarity)
3 Titania potassium AC, DC
4 Iron Powder Titania AC, DC
5 Low hydrogen sodium DC (Reverse Polarity)
6 Low hydrogen potassium AC, DC (Reverse Polarity)
7 Iron powder iron oxide AC, DC (Straight Polarity)
8 Iron powder low hydrogen AC, DC
1 Cellulose Potassium AC, DC
When the fourth (or last) digit is 0, the type of coating and current to be used are
determined by the third digit.
The composition of the welding electrode coating determines its usability, as well as the
composition of the deposited weld metal and the electrode specification.
The formulation of welding electrode coatings is based on well-established principles of
metallurgy, chemistry, and physics.
The coating protects the metal from damage, stabilizes the arc, and improves the weld in
other ways, which include:
1. Smooth weld metal surface with even edges
2. Minimum spatter adjacent to the weld
3. A stable welding arc
4. Penetration control
5. A strong, tough coating
6. Easier slag removal
7. Improved deposition rate
As a future welder, you must know the different types of electrodes and their applications in
order to perform the welding job correctly. Considerations include welding method, welded
materials, indoor/outdoor conditions, and welding positions. Practicing with various welding
electrodes can help you determine which electrode to use for what welding project.
B. Exercises
Exercise 1
Directions: Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false on the space provided.
___1. In stick welding, electrodes are considered as a consumable.
___2. Cellulosic electrodes provide an arc with shallow penetration.
___3. You can use any type of electrode on whatever weld you want to perform.
___4. In E6011, the E stands for electrode.
___5. Cellulosic electrodes include E6010, E7010, and E6011.
Exercise 2
Directions: Answer the questions below. Give the BEST answer.
1. it is the resistance of the material to forces trying to pull it apart
2. electrodes that provide a digging/driving arc with deep penetration
3. electrodes that offer an arc with medium penetration and excellent mechanical properties
4. it protects the electrode’s core wire from damage, stabilizes the arc, and improves the weld in
other ways
5. it is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide
C. Assessment/Application
I. Directions: Read the following carefully and choose the BEST answer.
1. What society developed a numbering system that offers information about a specific electrode?
A) AWS B) ASW C) SAW D) WAS
2. Which of the following electrodes belong to rutile electrodes?
A) E6010 B) E6011 C) E6013 D) E7018
3. Which of the following matters in choosing an electrode?
A) Accuracy B) Current C) Date D) Surroundings
4. In a E6012 electrode, the first two digit indicates __________.
A) coating B) current C) position D) tensile strength
5. Which of the following belong to basic electrodes
A) E6010, E6011, E7010
B) E6011, E6013, E7014
C) E7014, E7018
D) E7018
II. Directions: Give the classification of the following electrodes below. Give the tensile strength,
applicable position/s, type of coating and welding current to be used for each electrode.
Example: E6010 - welding electrode with minimum stress relieved tensile strength of
60,000 psi; is used in all positions, with Cellulose Potassium coating and reverse polarity
direct current is required.
1. E6011
2. E6012
3. E6013
4. E7016
5. E7018
III. Directions: In five to ten sentences, discuss the following. Refer to Annex A on how your
output will be graded.
1. Give a short discussion on the importance of knowing the classifications of electrodes.
2. How will this learning be able to help you as a future welder?
ANNEX A: Rubrics in Writing Essay
Missing or Below Meets
Criteria & Points Excellent Work
Serious Problems Expectations Expectations
Assigned (5)
(2) (3) (4)
Answer is complete;
Answer is Answer is brief
sufficient detail
incomplete. with insufficient
The essay did provided to support
Relevance of Excessive detail. Unrelated
not answer the assertions; answer
the answer to discussion of issues were
question. focuses only on
the question unrelated issues introduced and/or
issues related to the
and/or significant minor errors in
errors in content. question; factually
content.
correct.
Most of the basic
None of the Serious gaps in
Thoroughness details are Deals fully with the
relevant details the basic details
of the answer included but some entire question.
were included. needed.
are missing.
Minor problems Clear and logical
Good
Weak of organization presentation; very
development of an
Organization organization; or logic; good development
argument;
and logic of sentences Needs work on of an argument;
Transitions are
answer rambling; ideas creating Transitions are
made clearly and
are repeated. transitions made clearly and
smoothly.
between ideas. smoothly.
Mechanics of Major problems Frequent Good use of Clear, readable,
writing with mechanics problems with transitions; no prose. Very good
(spelling, of language; mechanics of problems with use of transitions; no
punctuation, Awkward language; spelling, problems with
grammar, sentence Occasional punctuation, or spelling,
clarity of prose) construction; awkward grammar. punctuation, or
Poor or absent sentences and grammar.
transitions; poor transitions;
Frequently Reduce
difficult to
understand. readability.
Prepared by:
FELIX BERNAR R. MILAN Verified by:
Teacher I
SUSAN C. TRIBUNALO
Checked by: School Principal I
ROMMEL C. MELGAR
Subject Coordinator
