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6013 vs 7018 welding rods: which should you use?

Updated: October 2026

You are repairing a mild-steel gate, but someone says 7018 is stronger than the 6013 already in your basket. The useful answer to 6013 vs 7018 is not that one rod wins every time. E6013 is a rutile general-fabrication electrode, while E7018 is a low-hydrogen family associated with structural and specified work. The job, procedure, storage and welder decide between them. The [welding electrodes comparison](/hub/soldering-and-welding/welding-electrodes) currently contains E6013 packs and one E4303 option, but no E7018. If the work calls for 7018, you need a different product rather than the highest-rated item on that page. We did not run a laboratory weld. A qualifying purchase through our links can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

You are repairing a mild-steel gate, but someone says 7018 is stronger than the 6013 already in your basket. The useful answer to 6013 vs 7018 is not that one rod wins every time.

Our top picks

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm

Best overall

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm
9.2/10about £16.65
View offer
GYS GYS E6013 1.6 mm

Preis-Tipp

GYS GYS E6013 1.6 mm
9.0/10about £7.63
View offer
TRQWH TRQWH E4303

Alternative

TRQWH TRQWH E4303
7.0/10about £9.99
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.Two codes for different priorities
  2. 2.When 6013 is enough
  3. 3.When 7018 is the better family
  4. 4.What is actually in this comparison

Two codes for different priorities

E6013 is widely used for clean mild-steel fabrication, maintenance and practice. Its rutile coating tends to give an accessible arc and manageable slag, and many products run on AC or DC. That suits brackets, non-critical gates and practice when the drawing does not name another consumable. Position and current still depend on the full classification. E7018 is a basic-coated, low-hydrogen family. UK supplier Weldability SIF separates general-purpose 6013 from 7018 for structural or coded work, where hydrogen control and mechanical properties are part of the procedure. Easier slag removal does not make E6013 low-hydrogen. TWI notes that rutile coatings can introduce substantial hydrogen compared with properly controlled basic electrodes. A 7018 packet left open in a damp shed may no longer match the procedure.

When 6013 is enough

Choose E6013 for clean mild steel when the job is non-critical and the maker’s classification suits the current and position. A garden-gate hinge plate, a trolley bracket or a practice fillet on known mild steel can be sensible. Thinner material is often easier with a smaller rutile rod, because it needs less current, though joint design still matters. Remove contamination, clamp to clean metal and match diameter to thickness. E6013 is not a reason to weld through heavy rust, paint or galvanising. The limit is a part that carries people, vehicles or a specified load: a trailer chassis, mezzanine, lifting point or pressure item. The how to use welding rods guide is beginner technique, not a qualification for that work.
GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm

Testsieger

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm
9.2/10about £16.65
View offer

When 7018 is the better family

Use E7018 when the design or procedure requires a low-hydrogen structural electrode and you can store and issue it correctly. Supplier descriptions associate it with structural steel, vessels, bridges and coded fabrication. A critical joint follows the engineering requirement, not a popularity ranking. ESAB’s UK guidance separates low-hydrogen electrodes from other classes and gives much hotter holding conditions for 7018-type rods than for 6013-type products when ovens are used. Welding & Welder advises keeping 6013 dry at room temperature and re-drying it only on the maker’s cycle. Do not put both families in one improvised oven. If you cannot hold those controls after a sealed pack is opened, a professional fabricator may be the appropriate route. Packet fields to check are in the welding rods buying guide.

What is actually in this comparison

The MMA products on display are mainly E6013: GYS, Weld Right, MKGT and Saker, in nominal 1.6 mm or 2.5 mm. TRQWH is marked E4303 (J422), which is not a coded way of saying E7018. EATBALE is TIG tungsten, not an MMA filler. Reviews, price or an “all position” bullet do not promote any of them to low-hydrogen status. A GYS 2.5 mm E6013 can be a useful general-purpose top pick and it remains E6013. If the procedure says E7018, buy a traceable E7018 with its storage instructions. The best welding rods UK guide ranks packs only for the everyday jobs in this set. No E6011 appears here either. HSE treats all welding fume as a health risk. Low hydrogen describes weld metal, not low fume.

Common questions

Which rod is stronger, 6013 or 7018?
The E7018 designation indicates a higher tensile-strength class than E6013, but a sound joint depends on the complete procedure, base metal, preparation and welder competence. Do not convert the code into a guarantee for a particular marketplace pack or an untested repair.
Can I use 6013 on a garden gate?
E6013 is commonly suitable for clean mild-steel general fabrication such as a non-critical garden gate, provided its diameter, current and position suit the joint. Assess corrosion and hinge loads first. A safety-critical powered gate or engineered structure needs competent design and welding.
Can I use 6013 on a trailer?
Do not choose a trailer consumable from a general DIY article. Chassis and coupling-area failures can have serious consequences, and the repair may require an approved procedure, a specified low-hydrogen consumable and a qualified welder. Have the damaged structure assessed professionally.
Is E4303 the same as E7018?
No. E4303/J422 is not an E7018 low-hydrogen classification. Codes from different systems should be checked against the manufacturer’s full datasheet rather than matched by similar-looking digits. The TRQWH E4303 in this set should not be described as 7018.
Do I need to bake E6013?
Normally, keep E6013 dry at room temperature in suitable sealed storage. Re-dry it only if the manufacturer publishes an approved cycle and the coating remains sound. A 7018 holding or rebaking temperature is not automatically suitable for a rutile E6013 rod.
Why is 7018 fussier to store?
E7018 is selected partly for low-hydrogen performance, and absorbed moisture can undermine that control. Procedures may therefore limit exposure after opening and require heated storage or quivers. The exact temperatures and times belong to the manufacturer and welding procedure, not a universal DIY rule.
Will both rods run on AC?
Many E6013 products run on AC and DC. E7018 availability includes variants intended for different current characteristics, so read the complete designation and datasheet rather than assuming every packet runs well on your machine. Open-circuit voltage and polarity also matter.

Related pages

Welding rod size

Welding electrodes

Best welding rods UK for gates, sheet and practice

Welding rods buying guide before you compare prices

How to use welding rods: strike, travel, then slag

Sources

Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this set, last checked on 17 October 2026.

  1. HSE, mild steel welding fume (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  2. HSE, health risks of welding (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  3. HSE WL3, welding fume control (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  4. ESAB OK 46.00 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  5. ESAB, storing and redrying stick electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  6. TWI, thoriated tungsten electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  7. TWI, rutile and cellulosic electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  8. The Welding Store, ESAB OK 46.30 2.5 mm (retrieved 17 October 2026)