Different types of welding rods can be used to achieve different types of welds. So what kind of welding can you perform using the 8010 welding rod? This is one of the questions we will be looking to answer in this article on the 8010 electrodes.
But first things first, what is the 8010 electrode? This is a high cellulose electrode known for its fast freezing slag. If you know anything about welding you know that electrodes with a fast freezing rod are ideal for welding in the vertical down position.
What is the 8010 welding rod used for?
8010 Welding Rod Applications
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Mechanical Properties Of 8010 As per AWS A5.5
Tensile Strength | 80 ksi (550 MPa) |
Yield Strength | 67 ksi (460 MPa) |
Elongation | 19% |
Welding Current | DCEP |
Coating Type | High Cellulose Sodium |
Welding Position | All Positions specially for vertical down welding and out-of-position welding |
Charpy V-Notch at -20 F | 81 ft-lbs |
Welding Process | SMAW |
Best E8010-P1 Electrode |
deposit composition as per AWS A5.5 requirements
| Weld metal | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Manganese (Mn) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Nickel (Ni) | Phosphorous (P) | Silicon (Si) | Sulfur (S) |
| Weld Metal Analysis (%) | 0.15 | 0.30 | 1.0 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.011 | 0.20 | 0.018 |
welding parameters of 8010 welding rod
| Diameter (inch) | Polarity | Flat Amperage | Vertical & Overhead Amperage | |
| 5/32 | DCEP | 120-160 A | 110-150 A | |
| 3/16 | DCEP | 160-200 A | 130-170 A | |
| 1/8 | DCEP | 70-110 A | 60-100 A | |
| 3/16 | DCEP | 160-200 A | 130-170 A |
What is vertical down welding?
Because of its fast freezing slag, this electrode is mainly used in the vertical down welding position. So what is the vertical down welding position? To understand this position we need to first understand vertical welding.
Vertical welding is where you weld a surface whose one end faces downwards and the other faces upwards, in other words, it is positioned vertically. In the vertical down position, you weld the surface from the top to the bottom.
And as you would expect in such a position you will have to contend with gravity. As such this welding position requires constant monitoring. More importantly, it needs a fast freezing electrode to make things easier.
When should I use the vertical down position?
When it comes to vertical welding you can either weld from bottom to top in a vertical up position or in the vertical down position, which is from top to bottom. The vertical up position offers better penetration.
For vertical down, you should use it on thinner metals that do not require deep penetration. This position is also recommended for sealing gaps on surfaces.
How to weld vertical down with the 8010 electrode
When using the 8010 electrodes to weld in a vertical down position, it is always a good idea to first clean the weld surface of any contaminants. Also, if you are welding thicker pipes pre-heating the pipe to a temperature of between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
For your first pass or the root pass, use the drag technique. Also, press the electrode firmly against the surface. Once you are done with the first pass make the second pass as soon as possible.
For sealing, gaps use a slight weaving and stitching technique. When doing this incorporate the sides of the weld pool into the base of the weld surface. However, be careful not to go wider than three times the thickness of the electrode. In the vertical down position hold the electrode at a 15-degree angle in the direction of travel.
What is out of position welding
The 8010 rod is also used in out-of-position welding. But what is out-of-position welding? This term is generally used to refer to either the vertical up welding position or the overhead position. Vertical down is not considered out of position as it is relatively easy to achieve a good weld.
The problem with out of position welding is that you are fighting against gravity. Therefore, the welding is usually slower and uses a lower amperage. This means the resulting weds are usually of a lower quality aesthetically.
When to use out of position welding
Out of position welding may seem counterintuitive but there are instances when it is a good idea to use this position. The most common is when you are welding a large piece of metal that cannot be moved or is fixed in place.
8010 welding rod usage tips and techniques
- Clean the surface you are welding before welding
- When welding thicker sheets of metal pre-heat the metal at a temperature of between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- For best results use this electrode with DC+ reverse polarity
- When welding maintains a short arc length and hold the electrode at a 15-degree angle in the travel direction.
What is the E8010-p1 electrode?
The 8010-P1 is a variation of the 8010 electrode. This electrode is known for its cellulose coating and can be used in all positions. It is also known for its increased deposition rates and good penetration.
It is used mainly in welding high-strength steel pipes. And compared to the base 8010 electrode it has low spatter and smooth arc. The slag is also easy to remove. As mentioned both the e8010 and e8010-P1 electrodes can be used in all positions.
E8010, E8010-P1 welding rod amperage, and settings
When it comes to the E8010, and E8010-P1 welding rod amperage and settings, they both use a relatively low amperage compared to other rods. Depending on the thickness of the rod you can use an amperage of between 65 to 210 amps.
Thicker rods such as 3/16 inch rods will use a higher amperage of between 130 to 201 amps, while thinner rods will use a lower amperage of between 65 and 120 amps.
welding polarity for E8010, E8010-P1 electrodes
For the polarity, both electrodes run best with the DC+ reverse polarity. As for their chemical compositions, both rods contain carbon, manganese, silicon, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium.
E8010-G vs. E8010 welding rods
The main difference between the e8010-G and e8010 is the silicon content. The former has a higher silicon content of 0.80 while the latter has a silicon content of 0.6%. As such the e8010-g rod has a lighter slag and is ideal for high silicon pipelines. It is especially useful for welding high silicon pipelines with a yield tensile strength greater than 80,000 PSI.
The 7018 vs 8010 welding rods
One of the more common electrodes is the 7018 electrode. How does it compare to the 8010 electrode? The first thing to note about this is the difference in tensile strength. The 8010 has a resulting maximum tensile strength of 80,000 while the 7018 has a tensile strength of 70,000.
Therefore the 8010 is used in applications where higher tensile strength is required. Another difference is in their usage. Both can be used in all positions, however, the 7018 is difficult to use in the vertical positions.
The 7018 has an iron powder coating and is considered a fill freeze electrode. Furthermore, it has a thick and fluid slag, which is why it is not recommended for vertical down welding. The 8010 rod on the other hand has a fast freezing slag, perfect for the vertical down position.
Your choice will thus depend on your needs. For general purpose welding in the horizontal position, the 7018 will be an ideal choice. It is easy to use and produces better-looking weld beads.
If you are doing vertical down welding go with the 8010 rod as its fast freezing properties will make your work a lot easier.
Conclusion
The 8010 welding rod is somewhat of a specialized rod. While it can be used in all positions, it excels when welding out of position or in the vertical down position. It is used in most industries and will be your preferred option for welding large fixed surfaces.
