7010 Vs 7018 Welding Rods: A Detailed Comparison
If you are in search of a high minimum tensile strength welding rod, then you must have come to know about the 7010 and 7018 welding rods.
However, you might not be familiar with the names of these welding rods. So, like many people, you may think that the higher the number on the welding rod, the better.
It is far from the truth. In this article, we will compare these two welding rods and analyze them for you!
Table of Contents
Comparison Table On 6013 or 6010 welding rod
| Topic | 7010 welding rod | 7018 welding rod |
| Coating | Titania oxide and iron powder | Iron powder low hydrogen |
| Tensile Strength | 70000 psi | 70000 psi |
| Position | All Positions | All Positions |
| Current | DCEP, DCEN | DCEP, AC |
What is 7010 welding rod?
This welding rod is coated with Rutile and iron powder. The 7010 welding rod has a minimum tensile strength of 70000 psi and yield strength of 57000 psi.
It can be used in all positions. However, the 7010 welding rod is best known for being capable of vertical down welds.
Pros-cons of 7010 welding rod
The 7010 welding rod has quite a few positive sides along with some negative sides. Let us discuss some of those in detail.
What is the 7018 welding rod
The 7018 electrode is an iron powder low hydrogen coated welding rod. It has a minimum tensile strength of 70000 psi, as denoted by the first two digits of this electrode.
It is primarily used in DC power supply, however, it can also run on AC power supply. You can get the best results by preserving them in a dry environment and oven-baking them before use.
Pros-cons of 7018 welding rod
The 7018 welding rod can be used for various purposes. The positive sides it has certainly outweighed the shortcomings it has. However, it may not be suitable for you depending on the work you need to do.
Similarities between 7010 and 7018 welding rods
Firstly, the 7010 and 7018 electrodes can be used to weld in all positions. As a result, these electrodes are quite versatile. Furthermore, both of these welding rods have the same minimum tensile strength of 70000 psi.
Difference between 7010 and 7018 welding rod
Current: The 7018 welding rod supports AC current along with DC current whereas the 7010 electrodes can only operate on DC current.
Coating: The 7010 has a Titania oxide with iron powder coating contrary to the Iron oxide and low hydrogen coating of the 7018 welding rod.
Cold Cracking: Due to its presence of low amounts of hydrogen, the 7018 welding rod can prevent cold cracking. But, there is nothing mentioned about the 7010 welding rod regarding this.
Welding Surfaces: The 7010 welding rod can be used on any surface, whether it is unclean, uneven, or galvanized. On the other hand, The 7018 electrode is capable of welding clean metals.
Penetration capacity: The 7010 electrode can penetrate deeply unlike the 7018 welding rod, which only has the capability of shallow and medium penetration.
7010 or 7018 welding rod: Which one should you choose?
The 7010 welding rod differs from the 7018 rods in various aspects. Both of them have their own distinctive functions. If you are in a dilemma on choosing between these two, you need to find out what type of welding job you are looking for.
In case you need root passes on pipes or repair farm tools, you would need a 7010 welding rod. A 7010 welding rod also comes in handy if you are planning on repairing pieces of equipment like gear teeth, shafts, oil well castings, and boilers.
On the other hand, in case you need to weld thick sections of metals, you would be better off with a 7018 electrode. Welding various structural metal joints and high-carbon steel can also be done with the 7018 electrodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
7010-A1 is most commonly used for welding in high-temperature steam service, and welding carbon-moly piping.
The 7018 welding rods are excellent for welding structural steel parts, thanks to their quiet and stable arc, accompanied by the low spatter levels.
Answer: Yes, you can use a 7018 electrode in all positions, even downhill.
Answer: The 7018 electrode mainly runs on DC current. But, it also has the capacity to operate on AC current.
Answer: Yes, you can weld cast iron with a 7018 welding rod.
Verdict
This article covers most of the things regarding the 7010 and 7018 welding rods. The comparison we have done between these two electrodes should help you in making your decision.
We would be very happy if you find this article useful.
