E6011 Welding Rod: Complete Guide

If you find yourself staring at a piece of steel covered in rust, paint, grease, or mud, put down the grinder and pick up an E6011.

While the E7018 is the “Structural King” and the E6010 is the “Pipeline Prince,” the E6011 is the undisputed hero of maintenance, repair, and agricultural welding. It is designed to do one thing better than any other rod: burn through garbage and hold metal together under non-ideal conditions.

What is E6011 (E4311) Electrode & its meaning

E6011 Rod is a carbon steel (mild steel) welding rod for stick welding. E6011 [E4311 as per CSA W48] electrodes are designed to be used with AC current polarity and to duplicate the usability characteristics and mechanical properties of the E6010 classification.

E6011 can also be used with DCEP (electrode positive). E6011 gives less penetration compared to the E6010 welding electrodes.

Arc action, slag, and fillet weld appearance are similar to those of the E6011 electrodes.

Decoding the Classification: What is E6011?

To understand the rod, we must break down the AWS A5.1 classification code.

• E: Electrode.
• 60: Tensile Strength of 60,000 psi (approx. 430 MPa). This is “mild steel” strength.
• 1: All Positions. You can weld Flat, Horizontal, Vertical (Up/Down), and Overhead.
• 1 (Suffix):Cellulose Potassium coating.
  • Cellulose: Provides the digging gas shield (Hydrogen/CO2).
  • Potassium: This is the secret ingredient. Potassium acts as an arc stabilizer, allowing this rod to run on Alternating Current (AC) as well as DC.

E6011 Welding Electrode Meaning

E6011 electrode is meant for mild steel welding. The meaning of the E6011 (E4311) welding electrode is:

1. ‘E‘ Means ‘Electrode’ for stick welding,
2. ‘60′ mean ’60 Ksi electrode tensile strength‘.
3. ‘1′ at third digit means the welding electrode to be used ‘for all positions’.
4. ‘1′ at fourth digit refer to ‘electrode characteristics‘ as per SFA 5.1.

E6011 Welding Rod Specifications

E6011 welding rod specifications are AWS A5.1 or ASME Section IIC SFA 5.1. The chemical and mechanical properties are specified in AWS A 5.1 specification.

E6011 is the electrode classification while A 5.1 is the electrode specification. CSA 48-18 equivalent of E6011 is E4311.

E6011 Chemical and Mechanical Properties

The chemical and mechanical properties of the E6011 rod are given in the below table.

The tensile strength of E6011 is 60 Ksi or 430 MPa minimum, Yield is 48Ksi or 330 MPa with a minimum elongation of 22 %.

The toughness of E6011 is 30 ft. lbs. (tested at -20°F) or [20 J at –30°C].

AC Capability

The defining characteristic of the E6011 is its ability to run on AC power.

The E6010 (its pipeline cousin) relies on sodium in its flux. Sodium works great on DC+, but on AC current (where the polarity switches 120 times a second), the arc snuffs out instantly.

The E6011 adds Potassium to the mix. Potassium ionizes the arc gap, keeping the electrical path conductive even when the AC sine wave passes through zero volts.

• Why this matters: If you own an old “Tombstone” welder or a cheap AC buzz box, you cannot run E6010. You must use E6011 for deep penetration work.

E6011 Covering Type

The covering of E6011 rods is high in cellulose. The coating type for the E6011 rod is high-cellulose potassium. Generally, the coating also contains calcium & potassium in small amounts.

The main covering elements in E6011 welding rods are:

• Cellulose pulp (cellulose covering element)
• Sodium silicate (Covering binder)
• Magnesium oxide (Oxidizer)
• Titanium dioxide (Oxidizer)
• Quartz
• Calcium carbonate (to produce welding gases)

The coating is similar to the E6010 welding electrode but with additional coating elements of Potassium instead of sodium coating.

The amount of cellulose is also kept lower side compared to the E6010 electrode, thus the E6011 arc is having less force compared to the E6010 electrode which has high cellulose elements in the coating.

Drying (Baking) and Storage of E6011 Rod

Unlike Low-Hydrogen rods (E7018) that need an oven, E6011 loves moisture. The cellulose coating needs a specific moisture content (3% to 7%) to create the shielding gas.

• Do NOT put E6011 in an oven. If you dry it out, the coating will turn ash-white, the arc will lose its “dig,” and the coating will flake off into the weld.
• Storage: Keep them in the cardboard box at room temperature. If they get soaked in water, throw them away, but normal humidity is fine.

Drying or Baking of E6011 is not recommended due to cellulose coating. If the E6011 is baked or re-dried, the rod moisture will be out and coating will be no more effective.

The storage of E6011 shall be at ambient temperature and does not require any holding oven unless working at low-temperature areas.

Most of the E6011 electrodes are used as it is after opening the packet. Unused electrodes shall be kept in the same packet or designated storage area to prevent damage to the electrode coating.

Cellulosic coverings of E6011 [E4311 as per CSA W48] electrodes need moisture levels of approximately 3% to 7% for proper operation; therefore, storage or conditioning above ambient temperature may dry them too much and adversely affect their welding operation characteristics.

The Technique: “Whip and Pause”

You cannot drag an E6011 like an E7018. If you drag it, the aggressive arc will gouge a hole right through your base metal. You must use the Whip and Pause manipulation.

1. Strike the Arc: Get the puddle established.
2. Whip: Flick your wrist to move the electrode tip forward (about 1 electrode diameter) out of the puddle.
   • Why? This allows the molten pool at the back to cool and solidify slightly. It also pre-heats the metal in front.
3. Pause: Bring the rod back into the puddle.
   • Why? This deposits the filler metal and builds the “dime.”
4. Repeat: Whip out, Pause in. Rhythm is key. Cha-Chunk, Cha-Chunk, Cha-Chunk.

Pro Tip: On thin metal, whip further away to let the puddle cool longer. On thick metal, keep the whip tight to maintain heat.

E6011 Electrode Amperage Settings

E6011 runs hot. If you are used to 7018, you might need to turn down slightly.

Diameter	Amperage Range (AC/DC+)
3/32″ (2.4mm)	50 – 85 Amps
1/8″ (3.2mm)	80 – 125 Amps
5/32″ (4.0mm)	130 – 160 Amps

E6011 Polarity

E6011 electrode can be used with AC (Alternating current) or DCEP (Direct current electrode positive) polarity. Potassium present in the coating makes it easy to use with DCEP polarity.

E6011 does not have any sodium so it can not be used with DCEN (Direct current electrode negative) polarity.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

1. “It keeps sticking!”

E6011 is a “sticky” rod, especially on open root starts.

• Fix: Increase your “Hot Start” setting if your machine has it. If not, use a “scratch start” motion (like striking a match) rather than a “tap start.”

2. “The slag won’t come off.”

Actually, E6011 slag usually falls off by itself. If it’s stuck:

• Cause: You likely have Undercut trapping the slag, or your amperage was too low, causing the slag to mix with the metal.

3. “The weld looks ugly.”

• Reality: E6011 welds are supposed to look rough. They have heavy ripples and a flat profile. Do not expect the smooth, glass-like finish of an E7018. It is a functional weld, not a pretty one.

E6011 (E4311) Welding Rod Amperage Chart

E6011 (E4311) electrode can be run easily with low current due to its good arc start ability. The arc of E6011 is smooth and less penetrating compared to E6010.

When welding with E6011 diameter 3/32-inch or 2.5 mm welding current of 40 to 80 ampere is used. For 5/32, 3/16 inch rod recommended welding amperage is shown in the below table.

6010 vs. 6011 Welding Rod

Both 6010 and 6011 are high cellulose coating electrode but main difference is that E6011 coating is having additional Potassium added along with Sodium.

Check out below table for complete details.

Table 1

Rod Characteristics	E6011	E6010
AWS Specification	AWS A5.1	AWS A5.1
Classification	E6011	E6010
Coating types	High Cellulose Sodium & Potassium	High Cellulose Sodium
Tensile & Yield Strength (Ksi)	60 & 48	60 & 48
Polarity	AC, DCEP	DCEP only
Welding Position	All	All
Weld penetration	Deep	Deep
Slag	Light, fragile slag	thin, fragile slag
Arc features	forced spray arc	High Force spray arc
Application	Root & hot pass, welding on rusty, dirty, painted surface	Root & hot pass, welding on rusty, dirty, painted surface

E6011 vs. E6013

Both E6011 and E6013 rod are mild steel welding rods. The difference between E6011 and E6013 is the coating types.

E6011 vs E6013 Welding Rod

Rod Characteristics	E6011	E6013
AWS Specification	AWS A5.1	AWS A5.1
Classification	E6011	E6013
Coating types	High Cellulose Sodium & Potassium	High titania potassium
Tensile & Yield Strength (Ksi)	60 & 48	60 & 48
Polarity	AC, DCEP	AC, DCEN & DCEP
Welding Position	All	All
Weld penetration	Deep	low
Slag	Light, fragile slag	light & easily removable
Arc features	Force spray arc	stable smooth arc
Application	Root & hot pass, welding on rusty, dirty, painted surface; cap passes	best for sheet metal welding

E6013 electrodes have low penetrating power, fast freezing slag and this may result in incomplete penetration in fillet welded joints while E6011 gives better penetration than the E6013 type. E6011 runs with AC & DCEP while E6013 can be run with AC, DCEP, and DCEN Polarity.

E6011 welding rod uses

E6011 welding rods uses for a variety of purposes. They are commonly used for general-purpose welding, such as on mild steel, carbon steel and low-alloy steels to carbon steel welding.

• They can also be used for root passes on thicker materials, as well as fill and cap passes.

• E6011 welding rods have a smooth arc that is easy to control, making them ideal for beginners or those who are new to welding. The rod also produces minimal spatter, which makes cleanup easier.

• E6011 welding rods are easy to use and provide good penetration into the metal being welded. They can be used in all positions, including vertical and overhead.

• E6011 welding rods are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased from most welding supply stores.

6011 vs 7018

6011 is a High Cellulose Covering welding rod like E6010 but E6011 can be used with AC & DCEP Polarity (E6010 only for DCEP). 7018 is a low hydrogen potassium covering while E6011 covering is made of Sodium and potassium.

The main differences between 6011 vs 7018 welding rod are listed in below table:

Table 3, E7018 vs. E6011 welding Rod

Rod Characteristics	E7018	E6011
AWS Specification	AWS A5.1	AWS A5.1
Classification	E7018	E6011
Coating types	Low hydrogen Potassium with added Iron Powder	High Cellulose Sodium & Potassium
Tensile & Yield Strength (Ksi)	70 & 58	60 & 48
Polarity	AC, DCEP	AC, DCEP only
Welding Position	All	All
Weld penetration	Medium	Deep
Slag	Thick slag	Light, fragile slag
Arc features	Smooth arc	Force spray arc
Application	Fillet, fill & cap passes	Root & hot pass, welding on rusty, dirty, painted surface

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