Stick Welding Electrodes & Rods — 7018, 6010, Pipeliner

Stick welding rods, also known as stick electrodes or arc welding rods, are used for reliable welding performance in field, repair, and structural applications. Designed for use with stick welders, these electrodes provide strong penetration and stable arc control across a wide range of materials and conditions. Common options such as 6010, 6011, and 7018 allow welders to match electrode type to the job, whether working outdoors, on dirty materials, or in high-strength structural welding. Available in multiple classifications including 6010, 6011, and 7018, allowing welders to select the right rod for penetration, strength, and welding conditions.

WeldingMart is a Lincoln Electric authorized distributor, and stick welding rods are one of the deepest categories in our catalog. Whether you're laying root passes on a 36-inch pipeline, repairing equipment in a wet pasture, or finishing structural welds to AWS D1.1 code, the right Lincoln Electric stick electrode makes the difference between a one-pass weld and a callback. Below you'll find our full 487-SKU rod inventory — Excalibur 7018, Fleetweld 5P+, Pipeliner LH-D80, and the stainless and hardfacing lines you can't get from a big-box hardware store.

Shop Stick Rods by Lincoln Series

Lincoln Electric's product naming gets confusing fast — the same rod can be sold under three different trade names depending on the application target. Here's the quick map: Fleetweld = field/utility rods, Excalibur = code-quality structural and pressure-vessel rods, Pipeliner = cross-country and gas distribution pipeline rods, and Wearshield = abrasion-resistant hardfacing rods.

All Lincoln Electric Stick Rods

Our complete Lincoln rod catalog — Fleetweld, Excalibur, Pipeliner, Wearshield, and stainless lines.

Stick Welders →

Lincoln AC-225, Invertec V155-S, Pro-MIG/Stick, and Idealarc series machines (24 SKUs).

Stick Welding Accessories →

Electrode holders, ground clamps, rod ovens, and storage tubes (82 SKUs).

MIG, TIG & Sub-Arc Wire →

Cross-shop our complete filler-metal catalog — wire, rod, and flux for every process (3,561 SKUs).

Stick Rod Selection — The Five Rods That Cover 95% of Jobs

Five AWS classifications cover almost every stick welding job you'll run into. The E6010 (sold as Lincoln Fleetweld 5P+) is the pipeline standard — DC+ only, deep digging arc, and the rod of choice for cross-country mainline root passes. The E6011 (Lincoln Fleetweld 180) is the AC-compatible version of 6010 and is what you reach for on small farm-shop transformer machines or when you've got a contaminated weld surface that needs a fast-freeze rod.

The E6013 (Lincoln Fleetweld 37) is the beginner-friendly all-position rod that lays smooth beads on sheet metal and light fab — easy to strike, easy to restart, but lower penetration. The E7014 is your iron-powder workhorse for high-deposition flat and horizontal fillet welds where speed and a clean appearance matter. And the E7018 (Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR) is the structural-code low-hydrogen rod that ships from rod ovens onto every X-ray-quality job in North America. The "MR" designation is Lincoln-specific — it stands for Moisture Resistant and means the rod can sit out of the oven longer than a standard 7018 before re-baking is required.

Stainless Stick Rods, Hardfacing & Specialty Lines

Beyond carbon steel, our stick catalog covers the full stainless lineup — 308L for general stainless fab, 309L for stainless-to-carbon dissimilar joints (and as a buttering layer before applying stainless overlay), 316L for marine and chemical service, and the Lincoln Wearshield hardfacing series (Wearshield 60, BU, Mangjet, Abr) for bucket teeth, crusher hammers, and impact-and-abrasion service. For pipeline professionals, we stock the full Pipeliner line including 6P+, 7P+, 8P+, 16P, 17P, 18P, and the LH-D80 / LH-D90 high-strength low-hydrogen rods used for downhill mainline fill and cap passes.

If you need a rod recommendation for a specific code job (ASME B31.3, AWS D1.1, API 1104), call us at 1-800-293-4483 — we keep weld procedure specs on file from working pipeline and structural fab shops, and we'll match the rod to your WPS.

Why Buy Stick Rods From a Lincoln Distributor

WeldingMart isn't a marketplace and we're not a hardware-store middleman. We're an authorized Lincoln Electric distributor with same-day shipping on in-stock rods, and our buyers know the difference between a Pipeliner 18P and a Pipeliner LH-D80 — that matters when you're trying to match an existing weld procedure or rescue a job that's already in progress. We carry the Lincoln rods that smaller suppliers can't get (Excalibur 9018-B3, Wearshield Mangjet, the full Pipeliner line) and we ship rod ovens, storage tubes, and shielded transport cans for low-hydrogen rods that need to stay below 1% moisture from the warehouse to the joint.

For a deeper dive on rod classification and amperage settings, read our complete guide to stick welding rods or the AWS rod number breakdown. For machine selection, see our Lincoln Electric stick welding guide covering the AC-225, Invertec V155-S, and Pro-MIG/Stick series.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 6010 and a 6011 stick electrode?

Both are fast-freeze, deep-penetrating all-position electrodes rated at 60,000 psi tensile strength, but the key difference is polarity and current compatibility. The Lincoln Electric Fleetweld 5P (E6010) requires DC power and is the go-to rod for pipe root passes because of its aggressive arc and excellent puddle control. The E6011 runs on AC or DC, making it better suited for older or limited AC-output machines while still offering strong penetration on contaminated or painted steel.

When should I use a 7018 rod instead of a 6013?

Use the 7018 any time structural integrity, crack resistance, or code compliance is required. The Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR is a low-hydrogen electrode with 70,000 psi tensile strength, a stable arc on DCEP or AC, and a low-hydrogen coating that dramatically reduces the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking on higher-carbon and high-strength low-alloy steels. The 6013 is a lighter-coated, easy-running rod suited for thin sheet metal, hobbyist projects, and AC machines where maximum strength or code compliance is not the priority.

What amperage should I run a 7018 electrode at?

Amperage for a 7018 varies by rod diameter: a 3/32 in. rod typically runs 70–110 A, a 1/8 in. rod runs 90–160 A, and a 5/32 in. rod runs 110–230 A, all on DCEP or AC. For out-of-position work (vertical, overhead), reduce amperage by roughly 10–15% compared to flat position. Always check the specific Lincoln Electric product datasheet, as the Excalibur 7018 MR and 7018 XMR may have slightly tightened recommended ranges for optimal low-hydrogen performance.

What does the 'MR' mean on Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR electrodes?

MR stands for Moisture Resistant. The Excalibur 7018 MR uses a specially formulated low-hydrogen coating that resists atmospheric moisture pickup after the can is opened, giving you a longer working window before the electrode needs to be returned to a rod oven. This is particularly valuable in humid jobsite environments where opened rods are exposed to the air during a full shift. The 7018 XMR designation indicates an even higher level of moisture resistance for more demanding storage conditions.

What is the Lincoln Electric Fleetweld 5P used for?

The Fleetweld 5P is Lincoln's trade name for their E6010 electrode and is the industry-standard choice for cross-country and in-plant pipe welding root passes. It features a deep-penetrating, fast-freezing arc with a light slag that is easy to remove, making it excellent for all-position work on steel with moderate surface contaminants, galvanized steel, and square-edge butt welds. It requires a DC-capable power source and typically runs DCEP (electrode positive).

What is the 7014 electrode good for, and how does it differ from a 7018?

The E7014 is an iron-powder, titania-coated electrode designed for high-deposition flat and horizontal welding with easy arc starts and a self-peeling slag. Unlike the 7018, the 7014 is not a low-hydrogen electrode, so it does not require rod oven storage and is well-suited for general fabrication on mild steel where hydrogen cracking is not a concern. The 7018 should be chosen when welding higher-carbon steel, restrained joints, or any application where low-hydrogen deposits are required by code or engineering specification.

Can I use 7018 electrodes without a rod oven?

7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode and is sensitive to moisture absorption once the hermetically sealed package is opened. For non-code work, electrodes used within approximately four hours of opening a factory-sealed can are generally acceptable; beyond that window, the rods should be stored in a holding oven at 250–300°F (121–149°C). For code-governed structural or pressure vessel work, follow the applicable AWS or project specification for exposure limits and rebaking procedures, which typically require recalcining at 500–800°F for 1–2 hours if moisture pickup is suspected.

What electrode diameter should I choose for welding 1/4-inch steel plate?

For 1/4 in. plate in the flat or horizontal position, a 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) or 5/32 in. (4.0 mm) diameter electrode is the most common choice. A 5/32 in. 7018 allows higher deposition rates and faster travel speeds on heavier plate, while a 1/8 in. electrode gives you more control on thinner sections or for root passes. Electrode diameter should never exceed the thickness of the thinner base metal being joined, and out-of-position work generally favors smaller diameters for better puddle control.

What is the Lincoln Electric Wearshield line of electrodes used for?

The Wearshield line (including Wearshield 60, Wearshield Abr, and Wearshield Mangjet) consists of hardfacing electrodes designed for rebuilding and protecting metal surfaces subject to severe abrasion, impact, or metal-to-metal wear — not for joining structural steel. Wearshield Abr is optimized for abrasion resistance, while Wearshield Mangjet is formulated for austenitic manganese steel components like crusher jaws and rail frogs that require work-hardening properties. These electrodes are selected based on the wear mechanism rather than tensile strength requirements.

What is the Lincoln Electric Pipeliner Arc 80 electrode and when is it used?

The Pipeliner Arc 80 is a low-hydrogen, iron-powder electrode classified to meet requirements for higher-strength pipeline steel, typically used for fill and cap passes over a 6010 or 6011 root. It delivers 80,000 psi minimum tensile strength with excellent low-temperature toughness, making it appropriate for higher-grade pipeline steels such as API 5L X65 or similar. It is available in 5/32 and 3/16 in. diameters and is designed specifically for pipeline fabrication and field repair applications.