AWS A5.1 / ASME SFA-5.1 · Stick electrode (SMAW / MMA)

E6013 Welding Electrodes

E6013 is a rutile-coated general-purpose stick electrode classified to AWS A5.1 for welding mild and carbon-manganese steel, depositing weld metal with a minimum tensile strength of 60,000 psi (420 MPa), welding in all positions on both AC and DC, and chosen for its easy striking and re-striking, tolerance of rust and poor fit-up, and self-releasing slag rather than for low hydrogen or high toughness.

Mild and carbon-manganese steel, general fabrication
Stick electrode (SMAW / MMA)
EN ISO 2560-A
6 ESAB grades

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Price on request. POFIS is an ESAB Authorized Distributor & Service Centre in Abu Dhabi — quotations include confirmed lead time and delivery terms.

The designation

What E6013 means

E: A covered electrode for shielded metal arc welding — stick or MMA welding.
60: Minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal in thousands of pounds per square inch — 60,000 psi, which is 420 MPa. One step below the 70 ksi of an E7018.
1: Welds in all positions: flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead. Several E6013 grades also run vertical-down, which is unusual and useful on thin sheet.
3: A rutile (titania) coating usable on AC and DC. This digit is what makes the electrode easy to strike, forgiving of poor technique and quick to clean — and also what makes it *not* low-hydrogen.
EN ISO E 38 / E 42: The EN designation carries more information than the AWS one. E 38 means 380 MPa minimum yield, E 42 means 420 MPa — so two electrodes both classified E6013 can differ in EN strength class. Read the EN line when the strength matters.
RR / RC / R / RB: The EN coating code, and the most practically useful part of the designation. RR is a thick rutile coating, RC rutile-cellulosic (better for vertical-down), R a plain rutile and RB rutile-basic — a hybrid with better toughness than plain rutile.

Reading the E6013 designation, left to right.

How it behaves

E6013 in practice

What E6013 is genuinely good at

It strikes first time and re-strikes on a used stub, which matters more than anything else on short welds, tack welds and intermittent work. It tolerates rust, mill scale, paint residue and gaps that would give a basic electrode porosity. The slag releases itself, so cleaning time is low. It runs on a small AC transformer with modest open-circuit voltage. And it is cheap. For general fabrication, maintenance, sheet metal, brackets, frames and site repairs, that combination is hard to beat and the alternative is usually overkill.

What it is not, and this is the part that matters

E6013 is not a low-hydrogen electrode. A rutile coating holds far more moisture than a basic one, and an E6013 deposit typically carries 25 ml or more of diffusible hydrogen per 100 g against under 4 ml for an E7018. Hydrogen plus residual tensile stress plus a crack-sensitive steel produces cold cracking hours or days after welding, with nothing visibly wrong at inspection. That is why E6013 is wrong for thick section, restrained joints, higher-strength steels, pressure work and anything a code governs — and why substituting it to keep a job moving is a decision with a delayed consequence.

Toughness is the other limit

Most E6013 grades are tested at 0 °C and give around 60 to 70 J there. That is adequate for structural steelwork at ambient temperature and nowhere near a procedure that specifies sub-zero impacts. The exception in this range is OK 50.40, a rutile-basic hybrid tested at −20 °C with 75 J. Where a specification names an impact requirement, check it against the actual grade rather than the classification — within one AWS class the published figures here differ by more than the class itself implies.

Open-circuit voltage decides what your machine can run

Rutile electrodes are usually easier on AC than basic ones, but the requirement still differs by grade. ESAB publishes a minimum 42 V OCV for OK 46.44, 50 V for OK 46.30 and 60 V for OK 50.40. A small inverter or an engine drive may not reach 60 V, and the symptom is an arc that will not strike or keeps extinguishing — which gets blamed on the electrode. Check the machine plate against the grade before ordering a pallet.

Vertical-down is a real capability, not a workaround

Several grades here are formulated specifically for vertical-down welding — OK 46.00 and OK 46.44 in particular, both rutile-cellulosic. Downhill progression on thin sheet is faster and puts in less heat, which means less distortion on exactly the material most prone to it. A general-purpose rutile electrode pushed downhill will not behave the same way, so pick the grade designed for the direction you are welding.

What POFIS supplies

ESAB E6013 grades

Every grade below carries the E6013 classification, which is why a WPS naming E6013 can be satisfied by any of them. They are not interchangeable in practice — the differences in current type, hydrogen level and impact toughness are what decide which one belongs on your job. Figures are the manufacturer's typical as-welded values.

**E6013 grades supplied by POFIS** — typical as-welded properties. Blank cells are values the manufacturer does not publish for that grade, not zeros.
Grade	Classification	Current	Yield	Tensile	Elong.	Impact (lowest published)
OK GoldRox POFIS recommends	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 42 0 RC 11	AC, DC+(-)	450 MPa	520 MPa	26 %	60 J at 0 °C
OK 50.40	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 42 2 RB 12	AC, DC+(-)	470 MPa	540 MPa	25 %	75 J at −20 °C
OK 46.00	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 38 0 RC 11	AC, DC+(-)	400 MPa	510 MPa	28 %	70 J at 0 °C
OK 43.32	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 42 0 RR 12	AC, DC+(-)	460 MPa	520 MPa	27 %	60 J at 0 °C
OK 46.30	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 38 0 R 12	AC, DC+(-)	440 MPa	515 MPa	26 %	70 J at 0 °C
OK 46.44	E6013 (AWS A5.1) E 38 0 RC 11	AC, DC+(-)	460 MPa	530 MPa	26 %	60 J at 0 °C

OK GoldRox E6013 (AWS A5.1)

The all-round, all-position choice: exceptional arc stability, reduced spatter, easy starts and restarts for tacking, and brilliant slag removal. ESAB positions it for novice and experienced welders alike, in a range of package sizes.

Diameters: 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile-cellulosic covering
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-29

OK 50.40 E6013 (AWS A5.1)

The rutile-basic hybrid and the only grade here with a published sub-zero impact figure — 75 J at −20 °C. Particularly good vertical-up and suited to pipe welding. Needs 60 V open-circuit voltage.

Diameters: 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile-basic covering, min 60 V OCV
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-17

OK 46.00 E6013 (AWS A5.1)

Relatively insensitive to rust and surface impurities, welds all positions including vertical down with self-releasing slag, and has good striking and restriking for short welds, root runs and tacking. Goes down to 1.6 mm.

Diameters: 1.6 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile-cellulosic covering
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-7

OK 43.32 E6013 (AWS A5.1)

A stable arc at low welding current makes it the sheet metal electrode, and it carries the widest diameter range here at 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Flat-position, with good flowing properties and bead finish on butt and fillet welds.

Diameters: 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 6.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile thick covering
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-6

OK 46.30 E6013 (AWS A5.1)

The straightforward all-round rutile for thin and medium-thick plate, with good striking and restriking for tack welding and the ability to bridge gaps. 50 V open-circuit voltage.

Diameters: 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile covering, min 50 V OCV
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-9

OK 46.44 E6013 (AWS A5.1)

Formulated for vertical-down welding with a good ability to bridge gaps, and needs only 42 V open-circuit voltage — the lowest here, so it runs on small machines and engine drives.

Diameters: 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
Alloy type: Carbon Manganese
Type: Rutile-cellulosic covering, min 42 V OCV
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-10

Diameters are listed from the manufacturer's deposition data. Ordering part numbers and pack sizes are confirmed with your quotation — send the grade and diameters you need to weldiv@pofis.ae.

Specifying

Which E6013 grade to specify

If you want one electrode for everything

OK GoldRox is the all-round, all-position choice: exceptional arc stability, reduced spatter, easy starts and restarts for tacking, and good slag removal. ESAB positions it as working for novice and experienced welders alike, and it comes in a range of package sizes. 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm, AC and DC, 450 MPa yield.

For sheet metal and thin plate

OK 43.32 has a stable arc at low current, which is what thin material needs, and the widest diameter range here at 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. It is a flat-position electrode with good flowing properties and a good bead finish on both butt and fillet welds. OK 46.00 is the alternative where positional capability is needed, going down to 1.6 mm.

For vertical-down welding

OK 46.44 is formulated for it, with a good ability to bridge gaps, and needs only 42 V open-circuit voltage — the lowest requirement in the group, so it runs on small machines. OK 46.00 also welds vertical-down with self-releasing slag and is noted as relatively insensitive to rust and surface impurities.

For positional pipe work and better toughness

OK 50.40 is the rutile-basic hybrid: particularly good vertical-up, suited to pipe welding, 470 MPa yield and the only grade here with a published sub-zero impact figure at 75 J at −20 °C. It needs 60 V OCV. Where E6013 is specified but the joint is doing real work, this is the grade to move to.

For general plate work

OK 46.30 is the straightforward all-round rutile for thin and medium-thick plate, with good striking and restriking for tack welding and the ability to bridge gaps. 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm, 50 V OCV, 440 MPa yield.

When to stop using E6013 entirely

Move to E7018 for anything structural under code, thick section, restrained joints, higher-strength steels or pressure-bearing work — the low-hydrogen coating is the whole point. Move to E7016 where a basic electrode is wanted but iron powder is not. If the work is high-volume fabrication, a flux-cored or solid wire will out-deposit any stick electrode several times over. Send us the joint and the governing code and we will say which applies.

Storage & handling

Storing and handling E6013 consumables

Rutile electrodes normally need no re-drying

ESAB states that mild steel rutile and acid electrodes normally need no re-drying, which is one of their practical advantages. That is not licence to store them badly: damp electrodes still produce porosity and a poor arc. Keep them in dry, stable conditions below 40 % relative humidity above 25 °C, and keep cartons off the floor and away from external walls.

They are not a substitute for a dry basic electrode

Because E6013 tolerates conditions that would ruin an E7018, there is a standing temptation to reach for it when the low-hydrogen stock has been left out. That swaps a known problem for a hidden one. If the procedure calls for low hydrogen, the answer is a correctly stored or re-dried basic electrode, not a rutile one.

Frequently asked

E6013 — common questions

What does E6013 mean?

E is a covered electrode for stick welding; 60 is the minimum tensile strength of the weld metal in thousands of psi, so 60,000 psi or 420 MPa; 1 means it welds in all positions; and 3 means a rutile coating usable on AC and DC. The rutile coating is what makes it easy to strike and forgiving of poor technique — and also what makes it not low-hydrogen.

What is the difference between E6013 and E7018?

E6013 has a rutile coating: easy to strike and re-strike, tolerant of rust and poor fit-up, self-releasing slag, and 60,000 psi minimum tensile. E7018 has a basic low-hydrogen coating, 70,000 psi minimum tensile, and far lower diffusible hydrogen — under 4 ml/100 g against 25 ml or more for E6013. Use E6013 for light and general fabrication, and E7018 wherever cold cracking matters: thick section, restrained joints, higher-strength steels and anything a code governs.

Can E6013 be used for structural welding?

For light structural work at ambient temperature, yes — it is widely used for frames, brackets and general fabrication. For structural work under a code such as AWS D1.1, for thick section, for restrained joints or where sub-zero impact values are specified, no: E6013 is not low-hydrogen and most grades are only tested at 0 °C. Check the governing code and the impact requirement before specifying it.

Do E6013 electrodes need to be baked?

ESAB states that mild steel rutile and acid electrodes normally need no re-drying, which is one of their practical advantages over basic electrodes. They should still be stored dry and stable — below 40 % relative humidity above 25 °C — because damp electrodes give porosity and an unstable arc even when baking is not required.

Why will my E6013 not strike on my welding machine?

Most often the machine does not reach the electrode's minimum open-circuit voltage on AC. ESAB publishes 42 V for OK 46.44, 50 V for OK 46.30 and 60 V for OK 50.40, and small inverters and engine drives may fall short. The symptom — an arc that will not strike or keeps extinguishing — usually gets blamed on the electrode. Check the machine plate against the grade.

Which E6013 electrode is best for vertical-down welding?

OK 46.44 is formulated specifically for vertical-down and bridges gaps well, and needs only 42 V OCV. OK 46.00 also welds vertical-down with self-releasing slag and is relatively insensitive to rust. Downhill progression is faster and puts in less heat, which means less distortion on thin material — but use a grade designed for it rather than pushing a general-purpose electrode downhill.

Are all E6013 electrodes the same?

No, and the differences are practical rather than cosmetic. Within this one AWS class ESAB publishes yield strengths from 400 to 470 MPa, open-circuit voltage requirements from 42 to 60 V, diameters from 1.6 to 6.0 mm, four different EN coating types, and one grade with a sub-zero impact figure where the rest are tested at 0 °C. The AWS classification is the floor, not the specification.

Who supplies E6013 welding electrodes in Abu Dhabi?

POFIS supplies the full ESAB OK electrode range from Abu Dhabi across the UAE and the wider GCC, as an ESAB Authorized Distributor and Service Centre, approved ADNOC vendor and ISO 9001 certified supplier. Tell us the material thickness, the welding position and your machine type and we will confirm the grade and diameter. Email weldiv@pofis.ae.

Procurement & supply

Buying the E6013 consumables through POFIS

The E6013 consumables is supplied from Abu Dhabi by Perfect Oilfield & Industrial Supply LLC as an ESAB Authorized Distributor and Service Centre. The information below covers what procurement and QA/QC departments normally need before raising a purchase order.

Lead time

Stock items dispatch from Abu Dhabi within 24–48 hours. Indent items are quoted with a confirmed lead time at the time of offer.

Approved vendor status

POFIS is an approved ADNOC vendor and is listed on the approved vendor lists (AVL) of major operators and EPC contractors across the GCC. We can complete supplier registration and prequalification documentation on request.

Payment terms

Standard credit terms are available to registered corporate accounts. LPO, LC and advance payment are all accepted.

Delivery terms

Delivery across the UAE and the wider GCC. Quotations can be issued on EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP terms to suit your project.

Warranty

Full manufacturer warranty, honoured locally. As an ESAB Authorized Service Centre we carry out warranty work and repairs in Abu Dhabi rather than returning equipment abroad.

Service & spares

In-UAE service, commissioning, operator training and spare parts backing for every machine we supply.

ISO 9001 Certified
Approved ADNOC Vendor
ESAB Authorized Distributor & Service Centre

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Send the form and the POFIS welding division replies with pricing, confirmed lead time, delivery terms and availability. Tell us who you are and what the job is, so the reply can be specific to it rather than a catalogue price list.

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