A welding rod is an essential tool when performing shielded metal arc welding. It can either be consumable or non-consumable. It is necessary to know about welding rods for those who are new to the welding industry.
For arc welding to work, electrodes/welding rods are needed. Electricity passes through it and eventually fuses the base metal. It creates an electric arc of 5,000°C (9032 F). Different types of rods are available for different applications. To ensure satisfactory results, it is important to choose the right electrode.
Mild steel electrodes are approved by the American Welding Society in thousands of varieties, so you have to pick the right one. 6011 and 6013 rods are similar, but they will perform optimally if used for the right applications. Let’s compare the two and see which is better based on their similarities and differences.
6011 Vs 6013 Welding Rods Difference
Construction, mining, and manufacturing are all industries that use welding in some form. Let’s compare two rods that are commonly used for stick welding, electrodes, also known as welding rods – 6011 and 6013.
It is a waste of time and money to buy electrodes for welding machines without knowing their properties. Here’s what should need to know.
Briefly, 6011 and 6013 are both very similar rods, before we drill down into the details of the rods. They can all be run on AC, DCEP, DCEN, and in all positions.
Welding rods 6011 are designed specifically for AC applications. They are also suitable for use in DC applications. Smaller welding pools mean less slag to clean up, which is a good thing.
What Is 6011 Welding Rod?
6011 is a general-purpose, high carbon, low alloy rod. It is typically used for structural welding to repair defects in thick steel plates.
6011 also known as the “Wonder Metal,” is a versatile, low cost and widely available material that can be welded with a wide range of filler metals.
The electrode that is used for this type of weld typically ranges from 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter and has a wire with a thickness between 0.6 and 0.8 mills per square inch.
What Is 6013 Welding Rod?
6013 welding rod is a general-purpose, medium-carbon steel welding rod. It is typically used for welding ferrous metals such as steel, stainless steel, and copper alloys. 6013 can also be used to weld aluminum.
This Welding Rod is a type of aluminum welding rod with a tensile strength of 130,000 psi. It is a low hydrogen welding rod and contains no more than 0.35% wt of aluminum.”
A 6013 Welding Rod is a type of metal that is used for welding. It has a tensile strength of 130,000 psi and contains no more than 0.35% wt of aluminum.
A Detailed Comparison Between 6011 & 6013
Penetration Capabilities
Most of the features of each welding rod are similar, but the depth of penetration is what differentiates them. 6013 electrodes are suitable for welding thin metal sheets, which require little penetration, while 6011 electrodes penetrate thick metals deeply.
To weld a metal base, a welding rod should have the ability to penetrate deeply into it. A deeper penetration will result in a stronger fusion.
A 6011 has a greater penetration capability than a 6013. Thick metal sheets and parts, along with heavier-duty jobs, are better suited to this machine. Corrosion can be obtained through the type, as well as dirt and other debris.
For light to medium welding, 6013 is used mainly for small details and thin metal bases. It produces a soft arc, making it the most suitable type for beginners. Additionally, there is little spatter, which reduces the likelihood of injury.
Use and Application
Welding corroded or dirty metal uses 6011 electrodes. Electrodes can penetrate grease, paint, and other materials. Pipefitters, pipeliners, and boilermakers need this type of material because it is tough.
Galvanized steel, mild steel, and other low alloy materials are suitable for 6013 electrodes. Short and medium welding, allow for smoother electric arcs. Most commonly used in vehicle construction, marine repairs, sheet metal welding, and others.
Elongation
Elongation describes the ability of a material to bend or stretch before it ruptures. The ratio between this strength and that of yield strength typically falls between those two values. The original length is used as a percentage to calculate this ratio.
The 6011 welding rod lengthens by 24%, whereas the 6013 welding rod lengthens by 25% in 2 inches.
Tensile Strength & Yield Strength
As mentioned, both rods have a minimum tensile strength of 60,000 pounds per square inch. Maximum tensile strength, however, varies significantly between the two. E6011 has a psi of 82,000, while E6013 has a psi of 74,000.
The yield strength of a material refers to its ability to deform permanently when stressed. 6011 welding rods have a yield strength of 69,000 psi, while 6013 welding rods have a yield strength of 67,000 psi.
Material
The two rods are made from different materials. It is necessary to use cellulose potassium flux with 6011 rods. On the other hand, 6013 rods are made of high potassium flux. A thin, flaky coating of slag is applied to the 6011, which is not prone to peeling away.
The 6013 has a dense layer of slag that easily peels off.
Power sources
AC and DC are both compatible with these electrodes. Direct currents, however, can be helpful when deep penetration is required. Consequently, working with DC polar for 6011 will be better than working with AC polar for 6013.
Arc characteristics
A 6011 arc is rough and violent due to the deep penetration of the direct current and the direct current used. 6013, however, has a softer arc than 6011.
Things that are Common in Them
Tensile Strength
This characteristic describes how well the material resists tension. There are 6,000 psi (pounds per square inch) and 4210 kpcs (kilograms per square centimeter) ratings on 6011 and 6013, respectively.
This measurement can also be easily determined. Analyzing the first two figures is all that is required. Because these two electrodes are the same, their tensile strength is also the same.
After this point, each welding rod is different.
Although they have many of the same characteristics, they cannot always be used interchangeably. It is common to compare 6011 and 6013, though 6011 is more commonly used than 6010.
Amount of Polarity
Both electrodes use direct current and alternating current to weld.
This is because the direct current creates a steady flow of electricity in one direction. Alternating current, on the other hand, reverses the electricity flow. Both can be used for welding, and the choice is largely a matter of individual preference.
As DC provides higher temperatures and steadier results, it is more convenient for welding. AC is used when a lower amount of heat is needed.
The 6011 and 6013 rods can be distinguished by their third number, even if you don’t know the facts. A number 1 means the electrodes can be used with both AC and DC.
What are the Characteristics of TIG Welding?
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), is a welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The characteristics of TIG welding are:
- Precision: TIG welding is known for its precision and accuracy. The welder has complete control over the heat input, the arc length, and the filler metal, which makes it possible to produce high-quality welds with minimal distortion and a clean appearance.
- Cleanliness: TIG welding produces a clean, smooth weld with no slag or spatter, making it suitable for welding metals that require a high level of cleanliness, such as stainless steel or aluminum.
- Versatility: TIG welding can be used to weld a wide variety of metals, including aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, and steel.
- Weld Quality: TIG welding produces high-quality welds that are free from defects such as porosity, inclusions, and cracks. This is due to the high level of control the welder has over the welding process.
- Manual skill required: TIG welding requires a high level of manual dexterity and skill to produce quality welds. It is not as fast as some other welding processes, such as MIG welding, but it can produce high-quality welds with greater precision.
- Welding Position: TIG welding can be used in all positions, including overhead and vertical, making it a versatile welding process.
- Safety: TIG welding produces very little smoke, fumes, or noise, making it a safe welding process to use in a variety of settings. However, it still requires proper safety equipment and precautions to prevent exposure to UV radiation, heat, and other hazards.
What is the Power Source for TIG Welding?
TIG welding requires a power source to supply electrical current to the welding arc. The power source for TIG welding is typically an AC/DC power supply, which is designed to provide a constant and stable electrical current to the welding arc.
AC/DC power supplies for TIG welding are available in a range of sizes and capacities to suit different welding applications. They can be either portable or stationary, depending on the needs of the welder.
AC power is used for welding aluminum and magnesium, as it allows for good penetration and produces a clean weld. DC power is used for welding steel and other metals, as it provides a stable arc and better control over the welding process.
The power source for TIG welding can also include additional features such as pulse control, which allows the welder to adjust the current and voltage during the welding process. This can help to reduce heat input and minimize distortion, resulting in a higher-quality weld.
In addition to the power source, TIG welding also requires a gas supply to provide a shielding gas, which protects the weld from contamination and oxidation. The gas supply is typically a cylinder of argon or a mixture of argon and helium.
What Kinds of Electrodes are Used in TIG Welding?
Tungsten electrodes are used in TIG welding, as they are non-consumable and can withstand the high temperatures generated by the welding arc. Tungsten has a high melting point, excellent conductivity, and is resistant to oxidation and erosion, making it ideal for use in TIG welding.
There are several types of tungsten electrodes used in TIG welding, each with its unique properties and applications:
- Pure tungsten: This type of electrode is made of 100% tungsten and is used for welding aluminum and magnesium, as well as non-corrosive metals such as copper and brass. Pure tungsten has a lower current carrying capacity than other types of electrodes and is not recommended for high amperage applications.
- Thoriated tungsten: This type of electrode is made by adding a small amount of thorium oxide to the tungsten. Thoriated tungsten has a higher current carrying capacity than pure tungsten and is recommended for use in DC welding applications. However, thorium is radioactive and can be hazardous to health, so care must be taken when handling and disposing of thoriated tungsten electrodes.
- Created tungsten: This type of electrode is made by adding a small amount of cerium oxide to the tungsten. Created tungsten is recommended for use in AC welding applications and provides good arc stability and longevity.
- Lanthanated tungsten: This type of electrode is made by adding a small amount of lanthanum oxide to the tungsten. Lanthanated tungsten is recommended for use in AC and DC welding applications and provides good arc stability and longevity.
- Zirconiated tungsten: This type of electrode is made by adding a small amount of zirconium oxide to the tungsten. Zirconiated tungsten is recommended for use in AC welding applications and provides good arc stability and longevity.
The selection of the appropriate tungsten electrode for a given application depends on factors such as the type of metal being welded, the welding current and polarity, and the desired welding performance.
Can TIG Welding be Performed Without Gas?
No, TIG welding cannot be performed without gas. TIG welding requires a shielding gas to protect the weld from contamination and oxidation. The shielding gas is typically argon or a mixture of argon and helium, which is directed onto the weld area through the TIG welding torch.
The purpose of the shielding gas is to create a stable atmosphere around the weld, which prevents the weld from reacting with the surrounding air and forming oxides or other contaminants that could weaken the weld joint. Without the shielding gas, the weld would be exposed to the atmosphere and could become contaminated, resulting in a weaker and less durable weld.
In some cases, a flux-cored tungsten electrode may be used to provide shielding during TIG welding, but this is not common practice and is typically only used in specialized applications. Flux-cored tungsten electrodes contain a flux material that provides a shielding gas when the electrode is heated, but they are less effective than a dedicated shielding gas and can result in lower-quality welds.
Therefore, it is important to always use a suitable shielding gas when performing TIG welding to ensure the quality and durability of the weld.
Conclusion
6011 and 6013 electrodes are the most common welding rods, available in a variety of sizes based on your needs and machine capabilities. A welding rod should be chosen based on its properties, such as polarity, penetration, tensile strength, and polarity to ensure that it provides the best results.
Different welding projects require different welding rods, so 6011 and 6013 are suitable for different welding projects. I hope that you found this article useful for gathering your thoughts and choosing rods for your project.
It’s been years since I got into welding as a side hustle. It’s been so long since Doing All kinds of welds for business and pleasure as this is my hobby. Being in this field I have learned from hands-on-experience also came to know what gears work and what doesn’t. The Tig Welder is my own platform where I use to share my experience.
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