SMAW · Carbon steel
E7018-1
The same low-hydrogen chemistry as the standard structural rod but qualified to a colder impact test, so it is specified where the finished joint must stay tough in cold service.
What the designation means
- E
- Electrode for shielded metal arc welding.
- 70
- 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength of the deposit.
- 1
- All welding positions.
- 8
- Low-hydrogen potassium covering with iron powder, run on direct current electrode positive or alternating current.
- -1
- A supplementary requirement for improved notch toughness, with the impact test carried out at a lower temperature than the standard version of the same rod.
At a glance
| Process | SMAW |
|---|---|
| Family | Carbon steel |
| Positions | All positions |
| Polarity | DCEP, or AC |
| Shielding | Self-shielded by the covering |
| Minimum tensile strength | 70 ksi |
Typical uses
- Structural and equipment welds exposed to cold ambient service
- Seismic and dynamically loaded connections that specify notch toughness
- Heavy sections where both hydrogen control and impact properties are required
How it runs
- Runs and sounds like a standard low-hydrogen rod of the same size
- Deposit is tested for impact toughness at a lower temperature
- Dense self-lifting slag and a flat, finely rippled bead
- Also carries a higher minimum elongation requirement than the base classification
Storage and handling
Identical low-hydrogen discipline applies: sealed containers until use, heated rod oven for working rods, and strict control of atmospheric exposure time.
Compare with
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.SMAWE7016A low-hydrogen rod with a tighter, less fluid puddle than its iron powder relative, which is why many pipe welders prefer it for vertical and overhead fills.SMAWE8018-C3A nickel-alloyed low-hydrogen rod used where the completed joint has to absorb impact in the cold, such as outdoor structures and low temperature equipment.