Welding rod application guide

Technical notes of interest to Marine Engineers

A quick reference for welding

Compiled by: Martin Leduc - 2004

Brought to you by www.dieselduck.net, comments to [email protected]

6010

Good for:

All positions
Deep penetration
DC reverse polarity
Rod is mild steel

Application � use medium arc, whipping or weaving on vertical and overhead to control bead sag.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	50 � 90	50 � 90	50 � 90
1/8	90 � 140	90 � 130	90 � 130
5/32	120 � 180	130 � 150	130 � 160
3/16	150 - 230	140 - 270	140 - 180

6011 (blue spot)

Good for:

All positions
Good penetration
AC or DC reverse polarity
Rod is mild steel

Application � stringer beads for overhead fillet, weaving for vertical and horizontal fillets.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	50 �75	50 �75	50 � 75
1/8	90 �140	80 �110	80 � 130
5/32	110 � 160	120 � 145	120 � 150
3/16	160 � 195	160 180	140 - 180
7/32	190 � 250
1/4	200 - 300

7018

Good for:

All positions
AC or DC reverse polarity
Iron in coating good with AC and allows high current settings

Application � use highest current practical in range, use straightforward progression and short arc, weld puddle very fluid.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	65 100	65 � 90	80 � 100
1/8	120 � 150	100 � 130	120 � 150
5/32	150 � 210	120 � 160	150 � 210
3/16	240 -280	180 - 220	240 - 280

7024

Good for:

High speed down hand or horizontal
AC or DC straight polarity
Best for horizontal and flat welding

Application � use drag method or open arc (keep arc short), weaving may be used.

Diameter	Minimum amps	Maximum amps	Best amps
3/32	80	125	110
1/8	140	180	170
5/32	185	250	250

316ELC16

Good for :

Stainless, NiCr � for welding 316EL & 317 Stainless steels
Use for high heat applications � i.e. Exhaust bellows
AC or DC reverse polarity

Application � any position, vertical � weld up.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
1/16	20-35	15 � 25	20 �30
5/64	30 � 50	25 �35	30 � 40
3/32	40 � 70	35 � 50	40 �60
1/8	65 - 100	55 - 70	60 �85

1851

Good for:

For brass, bronze, copper and joining dissimilar metals
Material must be clean
Copper alloys must be pre-heated

Application � all positions, vertical � weld up.

Diameter	Flat/overhead amps	Vertical amps
3/32	100 � 120	40 � 60
1/8	125 �160	65 -100
5/32	150 - 200	80 -120

Some other tips...

MIG welding

To get deeper penetration you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, decrease stickout, drag the torch, switch to straight CO2, use skinnier wire.

To get shallower penetration you do this (in order of usefulness):
Reduce wirespeed, increase stickout, push the torch, switch to argon/CO2 mix, use thicker wire.

To get a larger bead you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, decrease travel speed, increase stickout.

To get a smaller bead you do this (in order of usefulness):
Decrease wirespeed, increase travel speed, decrease stickout.

To get a higher, narrower (colder) bead you do this (in order of usefulness): Decrease voltage, drag torch, increase stickout.

To get a flatter, wider (hotter) bead you do this (in order of usefulness): Increase voltage, Push torch, Decrease stickout.

To get a faster deposition rate you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, increase stickout, use smaller wire.

To get a slower deposition rate you do this (in order of usefulness):
Decrease wirespeed, decrease stickout, use larger wire.

Note that when you change the stickout you change the current, so you might need to adjust the wirespeed to compensate. Same with changing wire size, obviously.