SMAW · Carbon steel
E6011
The alternating current counterpart to the cellulosic root rod, giving the same digging arc on the small transformer machines and engine drives found on farms and job sites.
What the designation means
- E
- Electrode for shielded metal arc welding.
- 60
- 60,000 psi minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal.
- 1
- All welding positions, flat through overhead.
- 1
- High cellulose potassium covering, which adds arc stabilisers so the rod also runs on alternating current.
At a glance
| Process | SMAW |
|---|---|
| Family | Carbon steel |
| Positions | All positions |
| Polarity | AC or DCEP |
| Shielding | Self-shielded by the covering |
| Minimum tensile strength | 60 ksi |
Typical uses
- Repair welding on older AC transformer welders
- Farm, trailer, and general maintenance work on scaled or galvanised-free steel
- Root passes where the machine cannot supply direct current
How it runs
- Digging arc with deep penetration through surface contamination
- Light, fast-freezing slag that is easy to chip
- Noticeable spatter compared with rutile and low-hydrogen rods
- Tolerates poor work leads and long cable runs better than DC-only rods
Storage and handling
Store in a dry area at room temperature in the original sealed packaging. Baking drives off the moisture the covering relies on and ruins the arc.
Compare with
SMAWE6010A fast-freeze cellulosic rod that digs deep and stays the traditional pick for open root passes on pipe and for repair work on plate that is not clean.SMAWE6013The soft-arc general purpose rod most beginners learn on, laying smooth cosmetic beads on thin steel with slag that almost lifts itself.SMAWE7018The workhorse structural low-hydrogen rod, giving a smooth arc, a moisture-controlled deposit, and the crack resistance that heavy sections and restrained joints demand.