AK-E7018 Alkaline Iron Powder Electrode for All-Position Carbon Steel Welding.
A low-hydrogen alkaline electrode with iron powder for high mechanical strength, crack resistance, and clean welds on marine and pressure vessel steels.
Product Overview
AK-E7018 is an alkaline, iron powder-coated electrode for manual metal arc welding of low carbon and marine steels. It is designed for all-position welding with stable arc start and restrike, low spatter, and easy slag removal.
The electrode delivers excellent mechanical properties and crack resistance in the deposited metal, making it suitable for critical applications in marine structures, boilers, pressure vessels, and offshore platforms.
Application: Used to weld the Marine steel (A、B、D、E、AH36、DH36 .EH36) and the same grade strength low carbon steel structures, like Boilers, Pres-sure Vessels and Offshore drilling platforms, etc.
Key Benefits
High Mechanical Strength
The deposited metal achieves tensile strength of at least 490 MPa and yield stress of at least 400 MPa, meeting the requirements for structural integrity in demanding environments.
Excellent Crack Resistance
The alkaline coating and controlled chemical composition reduce hydrogen content, minimizing the risk of cold cracking in the weld zone.
Clean Weld Bead and Slag Removal.
Good slag detachability and low spatter allow for a clean, smooth weld surface with minimal post-weld cleaning required.
All-Position Welding Capability
Suitable for flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions, enabling consistent performance across all joint orientations without changing consumables.
Where It Is Used
- Marine steel structures (A, B, D, E, AH36, DH36, EH36)
- Boilers and pressure vessels.
- Offshore drilling platforms
- Low carbon steel structures requiring high strength and toughness.
Who It Is For
- Welding consumable distributors supplying electrodes for structural and marine applications.
- Boiler and pressure vessel fabricators requiring low-hydrogen electrodes.
- Offshore and marine construction teams working with high-strength steels.
Problems It Solves
- Weld cracking in high-strength carbon steels due to high hydrogen content or poor weld metal toughness.
- Inconsistent weld quality across different positions when using electrodes not rated for all-position use.
- Excessive slag and spatter requiring extra cleaning time and increasing rework.
Specifications
Published by the factory for AK-E7018. Values not shown are not published on the datasheet and are marked as such rather than estimated.
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| Classification 1 | EN ISO 2560-A:E 42 3 B 3 2 |
| Classification 2 | AWS A5.1 E7018 |
| Classification 3 | GB/T 5117 E5018 |
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| C | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.9 |
| Mn | 1.60 |
| S | 0.035 |
| P | 0.035 |
| Ni | 0.30 |
| Mo | 0.30 |
| Cr | 0.20 |
| V | 0.08 |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength (MPa) | ≥490 |
| Yield Stress (MPa) | ≥400 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥17 |
| Impact values (J) | ≥47J/-30℃ |
| Diameter | Current range |
|---|---|
| 2.5mm | F/H-70-110A V/OH-60-70A |
| 3.2mm | F/H-100-140A V/OH-80-110A |
| 4.0mm | F/H-140-170A V/OH-130-150A |
Technical Features
- Alkaline coating with iron powder for high deposition rate and all-position welding.
- Deposited metal tensile strength at least 490 MPa and yield stress at least 400 MPa.
- Elongation at least 17 percent and impact energy at least 47 J at minus 30 degrees C.
- Chemical composition includes C: 0.15%, Si: 0.9%, Mn: 1.60%, S: 0.035%, P: 0.035%, Ni: 0.30%, Mo: 0.30%, Cr: 0.20%, V: 0.08%
- Supplied in 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, and 4.0 mm diameters with published current ranges for each.
Use Guide
- Select diameter by joint thickness and set current within the published range: 2.5 mm runs 70-110 A flat/horizontal and 60-70 A vertical/overhead, 3.2 mm runs 100-140 A flat/horizontal and 80-110 A vertical/overhead, 4.0 mm runs 140-170 A flat/horizontal and 130-150 A vertical/overhead.
- Clean joint surfaces thoroughly from oil, rust, paint, and moisture before welding.
- Store electrodes in sealed packaging and re-bake if exposed to humidity before use.
- Remove slag completely between passes to prevent inclusions in subsequent runs.
How It Compares
AK-E7018 and E6013 both weld low carbon steel in all positions, but E7018 has an alkaline coating that provides lower hydrogen content and higher mechanical strength, making it suitable for critical structural applications. Rutile electrodes like E6013 offer easier arc starting and better slag removal on thin sections but do not meet the same toughness and crack resistance requirements. For high-strength or low-temperature service, E7018 is the appropriate choice over general-purpose electrodes.
Related Grades
Other welding electrodes in the same family.
AK-E7018 Questions
Which standards does AK-E7018 meet?
What are the recommended welding currents for each diameter?
What impact toughness does the deposited metal achieve?
Can I get a full catalogue and packing details before ordering?
What packing is AK-E7018 supplied in?
Can we test AK-E7018 before placing a production order?
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