Types of Stick Welding Rods: A Strategic Procurement Guide for Distributors

Practical guidance on choosing, stocking, and managing SMAW electrodes for industrial buyers and wholesale partners.

Executive summary: For overseas wholesale buyers, metal fabricators, and project engineers, choosing the right types of stick welding rods is not just a technical detail. It directly affects weld quality, rework rates, warranty claims, and even your reputation as a supplier.

In most projects, welding consumables account for only a small percentage of the overall cost, but they influence nearly 100% of structural reliability. A wrong choice of electrode type, an unsuitable welding rod size, or poor storage during long-distance shipping can result in cracks, porosity, or failed inspections.

As an OEM/ODM metal products manufacturer with over 26 years of fabrication experience, YISHANG works with welding processes every day on real projects for global customers. In this guide, we share a practical, engineering-based overview of the main types of stick welding rods, how to read welding rod numbers, and how distributors can build a product mix that truly supports their industrial clients.

This article is written for:

• Importers and wholesalers of welding consumables
• Industrial distributors serving fabrication shops and contractors
• Procurement managers in automotive, construction, machinery, and equipment sectors

Our goal is to help you:

• Understand the different types of welding electrodes and their uses
• Interpret welding rod number meaning (e.g., E6013, E7018)
• Select the right stick welding rod types and sizes for your customers
• Reduce failures caused by moisture, transport, and incorrect handling

Basics: What are stick welding rods and why do they matter?

Stick welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding, SMAW), also called Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMA), uses metal arc welding electrodes coated with flux to create a stable welding arc.

Each rod consists of two main parts:

• A metal core wire – usually mild steel, low-alloy steel, stainless steel, or nickel-based alloys
• A flux coating – a mixture that stabilizes the arc, provides shielding gas, forms slag, and controls metal transfer

What are welding rods made of?

To answer a common search question, welding rods are made of:

• Core wire materials: mild steel, low-alloy steel, stainless steel, cast-iron alloy, nickel alloy
• Flux coating types:
  • Rutile (titania-based) – easy arc starting, smooth bead
  • Cellulosic – high penetration, good for root passes
  • Basic / Low-hydrogen – strong, ductile welds; sensitive to moisture
  • Iron-powder enhanced – higher deposition rates

These coating types significantly affect weldability, arc characteristics, mechanical properties, and storage requirements.

From a procurement point of view, rods that look similar can behave very differently. Flux formulation, hydrogen content, coating thickness, and manufacturing tolerances directly influence:

• Weld strength and toughness
• Spatter levels and cleanup time
• Ease of use for your customer’s welders
• Defect rates such as porosity or hydrogen cracking

Because of this, professional buyers do not just ask, “What is the price per kilogram?” They ask, “Which type of stick welding rod is best for this material, position, and environment?”

Understanding AWS classification: the language of stick welding rods

Most carbon steel types of welding electrodes are classified using AWS (American Welding Society) codes. Learning how to read these codes makes it easier to compare brands and verify technical compliance.

Example: what does E7018 mean?

1. E – Electrode (stick welding)
2. 70 – Minimum tensile strength: 70,000 psi
3. 1 – All-position welding
4. 8 – Low-hydrogen flux; works on AC or DC+

Understanding suffixes on welding rods

Example: E7018-H4R

• H4 – ≤ 4 ml diffusible hydrogen per 100 g weld metal
• R – Moisture-resistant coating

Knowing what the numbers on welding rods mean allows procurement teams to:

• Verify strength and position capability
• Match rods to project specifications
• Prevent mix-ups in warehouses and job sites

The Four Main Types of Welding Electrodes (High-Level Classification)

Many users search for the “4 types of welding electrodes,” which refer to the broader welding industry, not only SMAW. They include:

1. Consumable stick electrodes (SMAW) – Covered rods like E6010, E6011, E7018
2. Solid wire electrodes (GMAW/MIG) – Copper-coated wire fed continuously
3. Flux-cored wire electrodes (FCAW) – Tubular wire with internal flux
4. Non-consumable tungsten electrodes (GTAW/TIG) – Tungsten rod with filler metal added separately

This guide focuses specifically on SMAW stick electrodes—the most widely used consumable category among industrial distributors.

Main types of stick welding rods and their uses

We now look at the core types of stick welding rods used worldwide: E6010, E6011, E6013, E7018, and E7024.

E6010 – Deep penetration for pipeline and repair

Type: Cellulosic electrode (high cellulose sodium)

Use cases: pipelines, tanks, root passes, poor joint prep

Key characteristics: deep penetration, strong arc force, fast-freezing slag, DC+ only

Buyer notes: requires skilled welders; over-drying reduces performance

E6011 – Flexible for AC or DC power

Type: Cellulosic electrode (high cellulose potassium)

Use cases: farm repair, mixed equipment job sites, general fabrication

Key characteristics: deep penetration, AC or DC compatible, handles rust/scale well

Buyer advantage: highly versatile; ideal for general hardware & small workshops

E6013 – Easy-to-use general-purpose rod

Type: Rutile electrode

Use cases: sheet metal, auto repair, thin brackets and frames

Key characteristics: soft arc, smooth bead, easy slag removal, AC/DC

Buyer relevance: a top choice for less experienced welders; great appearance quality

E7018 – Low-hydrogen rod for structural steel

Type: Low-hydrogen, iron powder

Use cases: structural beams, cranes, machinery, pressure vessels

Characteristics: high strength, strong impact toughness, low hydrogen

Risks: highly moisture-sensitive; needs oven or vacuum-sealed packaging

E7024 – High-deposition rod for flat fillet welds

Type: Iron powder, heavy coating

Use cases: shipbuilding, fabrication, long fillet welds

Characteristics: extremely high deposition; flat/horizontal only

Comparison Table: Rod Type vs Polarity vs Applications

How to choose the right stick welding rod for your customers

Choosing the right type of welding electrode depends on:

• Base metal
• Welding position
• Power source (AC/DC)
• Required strength
• Productivity vs appearance

Quick selection guide

• General mild steel repair (AC) → E6011 / E6013
• Structural steel → E7018
• Pipeline & dirty joints → E6010 / E6011
• Thin sheet metal → E6013 or MIG/laser
• High-speed fillet welds → E7024

Welding rod sizes (diameters)

Common diameters:

• 2.0–2.5 mm – thin sheet, low current
• 3.2 mm – universal, most common
• 4.0 mm – heavy plates
• 5.0 mm – high-deposition, industrial use

Typical amperage ranges (useful for distributors)

These ranges vary by manufacturer but provide a helpful reference for supporting your customers.

Moisture management and storage: the hidden risk in long-distance trade

Even the best types of stick welding rods fail when exposed to moisture during sea shipping or warehouse storage.

The low-hydrogen challenge

When low-hydrogen rods exceed safe moisture levels, welds may develop:

• Hydrogen cracking
• Porosity
• Failed UT/RT inspections

Best practices: vacuum-sealed packs, controlled warehouses, stock rotation

Cellulosic rod handling (E6010/E6011)

Over-drying damages cellulosic rods. Best practice:

• Avoid ovens
• Store at room temp
• Prevent humidity swings

Packaging that improves quality

• Foil/vacuum packaging
• Small job-site pack sizes
• Clear batch labels for traceability

Specialty electrodes for high-value and niche markets

Stainless steel stick welding rods

• E308L – 304/304L stainless
• E309L – stainless-to-carbon joining
• E316L – chemical/marine-grade stainless

Cast iron repair rods

• ENi-CI – machinable, high nickel
• ENiFe-CI – stronger; works on dirty castings

Hardfacing electrodes

Used in mining, agriculture, and recycling.

When SMAW is not the best choice: YISHANG’s fabrication perspective

Stick welding is versatile, but not ideal for mass production.

Limitations in production

• Heat distortion on thin sheet metal
• Spatter cleanup time
• Operator inconsistency
• Lower productivity than MIG/TIG/laser

YISHANG’s welding approach

We integrate:

• Robotic MIG
• High-power fiber laser welding
• TIG for precision seams

Our real-world manufacturing experience shapes the recommendations in this guide.

Troubleshooting guide for distributors

A concise troubleshooting section helps distributors resolve customer issues quickly, reducing product returns and strengthening technical credibility.

FAQ: Common questions about types of stick welding rods

What are the 4 main types of welding electrodes?

The broader welding industry categorizes electrodes into four groups:

1. Stick electrodes (SMAW) – Consumable covered rods such as E6010, E6011, E7018.
2. Solid wire electrodes (GMAW/MIG) – Copper-coated continuous wire.
3. Flux-cored electrodes (FCAW) – Tubular wire with internal flux for outdoor or high‑deposition work.
4. Tungsten electrodes (GTAW/TIG) – Non-consumable tungsten used with separate filler.

This article focuses on SMAW stick electrodes, the most frequently purchased category for industrial distributors.

What is the best stick welding rod for mild steel?

• E6011 for rusty or contaminated surfaces and AC machines.
• E6013 for clean, thin material and good cosmetic appearance.
• E7018 for structural requirements needing high strength and low hydrogen.
  The right choice depends on power source, joint condition, and required weld performance.

What do the numbers on welding rods mean?

Each part of the AWS number communicates performance:

• First digit (E) = electrode
• Next two digits = tensile strength
• Fourth digit = welding position
• Fifth digit = flux type & compatible current
  Suffixes like H4R indicate hydrogen rating and moisture resistance.

Which welding rod is easiest for beginners?

E6013 is widely considered the easiest rod for less experienced welders due to its smooth arc, easy slag removal, and good appearance.

What sizes of welding rods should distributors stock?

A practical baseline:

• E6011: 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
• E6013: 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
• E7018: 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
• E7024: 4.0 mm and above
  You can expand inventory based on industry demand.

How long can welding rods be stored?

• Low-hydrogen rods (E7018): long shelf life if vacuum-sealed; once opened, keep in ovens.
• Cellulosic rods (E6010/E6011): do not over-dry; store at room temperature.
  Humidity control is the key to preventing defective welds.

About YISHANG: fabrication experience behind this guide

YISHANG is a metal products manufacturer in China, exporting to over 50 countries. With more than 26 years of OEM/ODM experience, we specialize in:

• Sheet metal parts and enclosures
• Metal cabinets, racks, and frames
• Metal display stands and custom structures

We work with stainless steel 304/316, low‑carbon steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, copper, and brass across industries such as automotive, electronics, medical, agriculture, construction, vending equipment, storage, and advertising.

Certified by ISO 9001 and RoHS, our factory is equipped for engineering-heavy projects, tight tolerances, and long-term supplier partnerships.

Because welding—SMAW, MIG, TIG, and laser—is part of our daily production, our recommendations are based on real manufacturing experience, not theory.

Conclusion: Treating welding electrodes as a strategic asset

Stick welding rods may appear simple, but they are critical for controlling weld quality, production efficiency, and inspection success. The right combination of welding rod types and sizes, proper handling practices, and reliable packaging can:

• Reduce rework and warranty claims
• Improve customer satisfaction and weld consistency
• Strengthen your brand as a dependable industrial supplier

Whether you distribute high-volume E6013 or support customers with specialized low‑hydrogen, stainless, or cast‑iron electrodes, informed procurement is key.

With 26+ years of engineering and fabrication expertise, YISHANG supports global distributors with practical manufacturing insight and dependable OEM/ODM service.

For technical consultation or upcoming metal fabrication projects, feel free to reach out to the YISHANG engineering team.