Lincoln Electric Innershield® NR®-211-MP is Lincoln's most versatile self-shielded flux-cored wire, classified AWS A5.20 E71T-11. It requires no external shielding gas, making it the standard choice for outdoor welding, field work, and any application where a gas cylinder is impractical. This listing is the 0.035" (0.9 mm) diameter, 10 lb plastic spool (ED016354) — the most popular combination for home shops, farm repair, and contractor use. WeldingMart is an authorized Lincoln Electric dealer; product ships factory-fresh with full manufacturer warranty.
NR-211-MP is available in six diameters (.030", .035", .045", .068", 5/64", 3/32") and multiple package formats from 1 lb mini-spools to 50 lb coils. Browse the full family: Welding Wire Collection.
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.20 / A5.20M E71T-11 |
|---|---|
| Wire Type | Self-Shielded Flux-Cored (FCAW-S) — no shielding gas required |
| Part Number | ED016354 |
| Wire Diameter | 0.035 in (0.9 mm) |
| Spool Weight | 10 lb (4.5 kg) plastic spool |
| Base Metal | Mild and low-alloy carbon steel (A36, A572) |
| Max Plate Thickness (.035") | 5/16 in (7.9 mm) — do not use on thicker material with this diameter |
| Polarity | DCEN (DC Electrode Negative / DC−) |
| Shielding Gas | None — self-shielded (using shielding gas will cause hard, brittle welds) |
| Welding Positions | All positions: flat, horizontal, vertical-up, overhead |
| Tensile Strength (typical) | 480–510 MPa (70–74 ksi) as-welded |
| Yield Strength (typical) | 400–440 MPa (58–64 ksi) |
| Deposit Composition | C 0.23–0.26%, Mn 0.57–0.66%, Si 0.17–0.26%, Al 1.3–1.6% (per AWS E71T-11) |
| Available Diameters | .030", .035", .045", .068", 5/64", 3/32" |
Source: Lincoln Electric Innershield NR-211-MP product page
- Outdoor and field welding: No gas cylinder required — NR-211-MP was specifically engineered for wind-affected job sites and fieldwork where shielding gas would be blown away or handling a cylinder is impractical.
- Home shops and farm repair: The .035" diameter and 10 lb spool format pairs perfectly with portable 120V and 140–175A flux-core-capable MIG welders. Light vehicle frames, implements, gates, and structural supports.
- Automotive and light structural: Up to 5/16" plate with the .035" diameter. Suitable for light frames, trailer tongues, and floor pan patches where a gas setup isn't available.
- Maintenance and repair welding: Tolerates moderately rusty or scaled surfaces better than solid MIG wire. Fast-freezing slag system accommodates poor fit-up common in repair situations.
- Construction site work: Self-shielded portability makes NR-211-MP the standard wire for site welders running on engine-driven generators where gas cylinders are a logistical burden.
- Light structural fabrication: All-position capability allows vertical-up and overhead passes, useful for tacking and filling where access is limited.
Innershield NR-211-MP requires DCEN (DC Electrode Negative / DC−) polarity — this is the opposite of solid MIG wire and gas-shielded flux-cored wire, which use DCEP (DC+). Set your welder to electrode-negative before welding.
Critical: do not use shielding gas with NR-211-MP. The aluminum and magnesium in the flux core react with atmospheric oxygen to create the protective slag sheath. If shielding gas is applied, these deoxidizers remain in the weld deposit and produce hard, brittle welds with poor mechanical properties. If your machine has a gas solenoid, make sure it is disabled or no gas is connected.
Recommended starting parameters (.035"): Wire feed speed ~200–350 IPM, voltage ~18–20V, CTWD (contact-tip-to-work distance) 1/2" to 3/4", drag the puddle (pull technique). Run at the lower end of the voltage range — NR-211-MP is a low-voltage wire compared to gas-shielded wires of the same diameter.
| .030" (0.8 mm) | Thin gauge and sheet metal up to 5/16". Lowest heat input. 1 lb mini-spools available for small repairs. |
|---|---|
| .035" (0.9 mm) — this listing | Most popular size. Sheet metal to 5/16" max thickness. Best balance of deposition and machine compatibility for portable welders. |
| .045" (1.1 mm) | Higher deposition on material up to 5/16"–3/8". Requires more amperage — suitable for industrial machines. |
| .068" (1.7 mm) | Step up to thicker plate (up to 1/2" with multiple passes). Significantly higher deposition rate. |
| 5/64" (2.0 mm) | Industrial-grade; plate 1/2" and heavier. High deposition, structural fabrication. |
| 3/32" (2.4 mm) | Heaviest NR-211-MP diameter. Maximum deposition; limited to larger machines and thick-plate applications. |
- Does NR-211-MP need shielding gas?
- No. It is self-shielded (FCAW-S). Do NOT connect shielding gas — it will produce hard, brittle welds by preventing the aluminum/magnesium deoxidizers from reacting with atmospheric oxygen as intended.
- What polarity does NR-211-MP use?
- DCEN (DC Electrode Negative / DC−) — opposite of solid MIG wire. Reverse your polarity leads before loading this wire.
- What is the maximum plate thickness for .035" NR-211-MP?
- 5/16" (7.9 mm) for single-pass welds. For thicker material, use .045", .068", or step up to Innershield NR-232 for structural applications.
- Can I use NR-211-MP outdoors?
- Yes — it is specifically designed for outdoor and wind-affected work. No shielding gas cloud means wind does not disrupt shielding. A wind block is still recommended in very high winds.
- Is NR-211-MP the same as E71T-GS hardware-store wire?
- No. NR-211-MP is classified E71T-11, a multi-pass capable wire meeting AWS all-position mechanical requirements. E71T-GS is single-pass only and not rated for structural use.
- What's the difference between NR-211-MP and NR-232?
- NR-211-MP (E71T-11) is for thin-to-medium plate up to 5/16", available in small spools. NR-232 (E71T-8) is for structural plate 3/16" and heavier, higher deposition, meets AWS D1.8 seismic requirements. See: Lincoln Innershield NR-232-H family hub.
Browse sibling wire PDPs: SuperArc L-56 ER70S-6 MIG Wire Family Hub | Innershield NR-232-H Family Hub | All Welding Wire
— signed: SEO Silo-chat