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

E7018 Welding Electrodes

E7018 is an iron-powder, low-hydrogen basic-coated stick electrode classified to AWS A5.1 for welding carbon and carbon-manganese steels, depositing weld metal with a minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi (490 MPa) and a minimum 27 J Charpy V-notch impact value at −29 °C, in all positions on DC and, for the AC-capable grades, on alternating current.

  • Carbon and carbon-manganese steel
  • 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 E7018 means

E
A covered electrode for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also called stick or MMA welding.
70
Minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal in thousands of pounds per square inch — 70,000 psi, which is 490 MPa.
1
Suitable for welding in all positions: flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead. A 2 in this position would mean flat and horizontal fillet only.
8
A low-hydrogen potassium iron-powder coating, usable on DC and on AC. This digit is what makes the electrode low-hydrogen, and it is the reason E7018 is specified for restrained and high-strength joints.
-1
An optional suffix meaning the electrode meets a more demanding impact requirement — 27 J at −46 °C instead of −29 °C. Specify it where the WPS calls for low-temperature toughness.
H4 / H4R
Diffusible hydrogen of no more than 4 ml per 100 g of deposited weld metal. The R adds a tested resistance to moisture absorption, which is what lets an electrode sit in a hot box through a shift without redrying.

Reading the E7018 designation, left to right.

How it behaves

E7018 in practice

What low-hydrogen means in practice

Hydrogen dissolved in molten weld metal comes out of solution as the weld cools and collects at the fusion line, where it causes delayed cold cracking — sometimes hours after the welder has finished. A basic coating holds far less moisture than a rutile one, so an E7018 deposit carries typically under 4 ml of diffusible hydrogen per 100 g, against 25 ml or more for an E6013. That single property is why E7018 is specified for thick section, restrained joints, high-strength steels and anything that will see a pressure test.

Why the coating has to stay dry

A basic coating is hygroscopic: it reabsorbs atmospheric moisture, and the moisture goes straight back into the weld as hydrogen. An electrode that has been left in Gulf humidity is no longer a low-hydrogen electrode regardless of what the box says. This is why E7018 ships in sealed cartons or vacuum packs, why opened stock goes into a holding oven at 100–150 °C, and why a redrying cycle is part of every serious WPS. The R-suffix grades resist absorption for longer, but they do not remove the requirement.

E7018 against E7016 and E6013

E7016 shares the same low-hydrogen basic coating and the same 70 ksi strength class, but has no iron powder in the coating. That makes it slightly harder to run and slower to deposit, while giving a more fluid arc that some welders prefer for root passes and positional work. E6013 is a rutile general-purpose electrode: easy to strike, tolerant of poor fit-up and dirty plate, but not low-hydrogen and not suitable where cold cracking is a risk. Use E6013 for light fabrication and E7018 for anything structural or pressure-bearing.

Preheat still applies

Low-hydrogen consumables reduce the risk of cold cracking; they do not eliminate the need for preheat. Carbon equivalent, joint thickness, restraint and ambient conditions all still govern, and the governing code — AWS D1.1, ASME IX or the client specification — sets the minimum. E7018 lets a procedure use a lower preheat than a rutile electrode would allow for the same joint, which is often the practical reason it is chosen.

What POFIS supplies

ESAB E7018 grades

Every grade below carries the E7018 classification, which is why a WPS naming E7018 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.

E7018 grades supplied by POFIS — typical as-welded properties. Blank cells are values the manufacturer does not publish for that grade, not zeros.
Grade Classification CurrentDiffusible H₂YieldTensileImpact (lowest published)
OK 48.00 POFIS recommends E7018 H4 R E 42 4 B 42 H5 DC+(-)< 4.0 ml/100g475 MPa565 MPa115 J at −40 °C
OK 48.04 E7018 E 42 4 B 32 H5 AC, DC+(-)< 5.0 ml/100g480 MPa560 MPa100 J at −40 °C
OK 48.10 RMn E7018 H4 R E 42 4 B 42 H5 DC+(-)< 4.0 ml/100g480 MPa560 MPa140 J at −40 °C
OK 48.50 E7018-1 H4R E 42 4 B 32 H5 AC, DC+(-)< 4.0 ml/100g500 MPa570 MPa70 J at −40 °C
OK 48.60 E7018 E 42 4 B 42 H5 DC+< 5.0 ml/100g445 MPa540 MPa70 J at −40 °C
OK 55.00 E7018-1 H4 R E 46 5 B 32 H5 AC, DC+< 4.0 ml/100g500 MPa590 MPa100 J at −50 °C

OK 48.00 E7018 H4 R

The default general-purpose choice: widest diameter range, broadest classification society approvals, and tested to NACE TM0177 and TM0284 for sour service. DC only.

Diameters
1.6 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 6.0 mm, 7.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Approvals
ABS · BV · CE · DB · DNV-GL · LR · PRS · RINA · UKCA · VdTÜV
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-11

OK 48.04 E7018

AC-capable general-purpose LMA electrode for restrained structures where high stresses cannot be avoided. Needs 65 V minimum open-circuit voltage on AC.

Diameters
2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Approvals
ABS · BV · CE · DNV-GL · LR · PRS · UKCA · VdTÜV
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-13

OK 48.10 RMn E7018 H4 R

Reduced manganese emission for confined-space and enclosed welding where an HSE assessment has flagged fume exposure, with the highest impact values in the group.

Diameters
2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-14

OK 48.50 E7018-1 H4R

The -1 suffix grade for procedures requiring 27 J at −46 °C, AC and DC capable, with the finest diameter range down to 2.0 mm for thin section and positional root work.

Diameters
2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Approvals
ABS · BV · CE · DNV · LR · RINA · UKCA · VdTÜV
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-15

OK 48.60 E7018

Straightforward DC+ general-purpose basic electrode with very good running characteristics. The economical choice where neither AC capability nor a -1 impact requirement applies.

Diameters
2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-16

OK 55.00 E7018-1 H4 R

The high-toughness grade: a 46-class deposit with 100 J at −50 °C, approved for high-strength ship steel grades A, D and E, hot-crack resistant and tested to NACE TM0177 and TM0284.

Diameters
2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 6.0 mm
Alloy type
Carbon Manganese
Type
Basic covering
Approvals
ABS · BV · CE · CWB · DB · DNV-GL · LR · UKCA · VdTÜV
Source
ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 1-22

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 E7018 grade to specify

If the WPS simply says E7018

OK 48.00 is the grade to quote. It is the general-purpose H4R electrode in the range, carries the widest diameter spread at 1.6 mm through 7.0 mm, holds ABS, BV, DNV-GL, LR, PRS and RINA ship classification approvals, and has been tested to NACE TM0177 and TM0284 for sour service. It runs on DC only.

If the machine or the site supply is AC

OK 48.04, OK 48.50 and OK 55.00 are all AC-capable with a minimum 65 V open-circuit voltage, which rules out some engine drives and small inverters — check the machine plate. OK 48.00 and OK 48.10 RMn are DC-only and will not strike reliably on AC.

If the procedure calls for low-temperature impacts

OK 48.50 and OK 55.00 are classified E7018-1, the suffix that requires 27 J at −46 °C. OK 55.00 goes furthest: it is a 46-grade deposit under EN ISO with 500 MPa typical yield and 100 J at −50 °C, and it is also approved for high-strength ship steel grades A, D and E. Specify it for cold-service and offshore structural work.

If welder fume exposure is the constraint

OK 48.10 RMn is formulated to cut manganese emission while holding the same E7018 H4R classification and a −40 °C impact value of 140 J. Where an HSE assessment has flagged manganese exposure in confined-space or enclosed welding, this is the grade that answers it without changing the procedure.

If the base metal is alloyed

Once the parent material is a creep-resisting or nickel-bearing steel, the classification moves out of AWS A5.1 and into A5.5. ESAB covers that range with OK 48.08 (E7018-G H4R, 0.9 % Ni, 85 J at −50 °C) and OK 74.46 (E7018-A1, 0.5 % Mo). Both are listed in chapter 2 of the handbook and are quoted on request; do not substitute an A5.1 electrode for an A5.5 one, because the deposit chemistry is what the procedure qualified.

Storage & handling

Storing and handling E7018 consumables

Storage before opening

Keep sealed cartons in a dry store at a stable temperature, clear of external walls and floor. ESAB supplies most low-hydrogen grades in a vacuum-packed VacPac, which holds the electrodes at the as-manufactured moisture level and removes the need to redry before first use provided the pack is intact.

After opening

Transfer opened electrodes to a heated quiver or holding oven and keep them there for the rest of the shift. Electrodes returned loose to a bench in Gulf ambient humidity should be treated as having absorbed moisture. POFIS supplies Arc-Master electrode ovens and portable quivers for exactly this duty.

Redrying

Redrying temperature and time are set by the electrode manufacturer and by the governing code, not by rule of thumb, and over-drying a basic coating damages it. The handbook devotes a chapter to storage and handling; request the redrying schedule for the specific grade with your quotation and hold it with the WPS.

Frequently asked

E7018 — common questions

What does E7018 mean?

E is a covered electrode for stick (SMAW) welding; 70 is the minimum tensile strength of the weld metal in thousands of psi, so 70,000 psi or 490 MPa; 1 means it welds in all positions; and 8 means a low-hydrogen iron-powder coating that runs on both DC and AC. A -1 suffix adds a tougher impact requirement of 27 J at −46 °C, and H4 or H4R means the deposit carries no more than 4 ml of diffusible hydrogen per 100 g.

What is the difference between E7018 and E7018-1?

The strength class is identical. The -1 suffix is an additional impact requirement: E7018 must give 27 J at −29 °C, while E7018-1 must give 27 J at −46 °C. Specify -1 when the procedure or the client specification calls for low-temperature toughness. In the ESAB range OK 48.50 and OK 55.00 are the E7018-1 grades.

What does H4R mean on a 7018 electrode?

H4 means the deposited weld metal contains no more than 4 ml of diffusible hydrogen per 100 g. The R means the coating has additionally passed a moisture absorption resistance test, so it holds its low-hydrogen character longer once the packet is open. H4R electrodes are what you want where electrodes are issued to the field for a full shift.

Can E7018 be used on AC?

Only the AC-rated grades. The final 8 in the designation permits AC, but each manufacturer states the requirement, and ESAB specifies a minimum 65 V open-circuit voltage for its AC-capable grades. OK 48.04, OK 48.50 and OK 55.00 run on AC and DC; OK 48.00 and OK 48.10 RMn are DC only. Check the machine plate before ordering, because many small inverters do not reach 65 V OCV.

Do E7018 electrodes need to be baked before use?

Sealed vacuum-packed electrodes can be used straight from an intact pack. Once opened, they must be held in a heated quiver or oven, and electrodes that have been exposed to ambient humidity need redrying to the manufacturer schedule before they can be treated as low-hydrogen again. The exact temperature and hold time vary by grade and are set by the code governing your work, not by rule of thumb.

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, and 60,000 psi minimum tensile. E7018 has a basic low-hydrogen coating, 70,000 psi minimum tensile, and far lower diffusible hydrogen. Use E6013 for light and general fabrication, and E7018 wherever cold cracking matters — thick section, restrained joints, higher-strength steels, pressure work and anything a code governs.

Which E7018 electrode should I buy for structural steelwork in the UAE?

For general structural carbon steel to AWS D1.1, OK 48.00 is the usual answer: H4R, all-position, the widest diameter range in the group, and classification society approvals from ABS, BV, DNV-GL, LR, PRS and RINA. If your machines are AC, or the procedure calls for −46 °C impacts, move to OK 48.50 or OK 55.00. Send POFIS the WPS and we will confirm the grade against it.

Who supplies E7018 electrodes in Abu Dhabi?

POFIS is an ESAB Authorized Distributor and Service Centre in Abu Dhabi and supplies the full OK low-hydrogen electrode range across the UAE and the wider GCC. We are an approved ADNOC vendor and ISO 9001 certified, and we can issue material certificates and complete supplier prequalification with the quotation. Email weldiv@pofis.ae.

Procurement & supply

Buying the E7018 consumables through POFIS

The E7018 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

Price on request

Request a quotation for the E7018 filler metals

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.

Received by the POFIS welding division and answered by email or phone, usually within one working day.

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