Lincoln Electric SuperArc® L-56® ED028676 is the 0.035" (0.9 mm), 12.5 lb plastic spool configuration of Lincoln's best-selling ER70S-6 MIG wire. The 12.5 lb spool is the most popular intermediate format — larger than the 2 lb hobby spool, but smaller and more portable than the 33 lb or 44 lb industrial formats. It fits the 8-inch (200 mm) outer diameter reel holders on most intermediate and professional MIG welders, including Lincoln's Power MIG 180 Dual, Power MIG 210 MP, and comparable machines from other manufacturers.
SuperArc L-56 is copper-coated, classified AWS A5.18 ER70S-6, and delivers the highest deoxidizer level (Si + Mn) in the ER70S solid wire family for clean welds on mill-scaled mild and low-alloy steel. WeldingMart is an authorized Lincoln Electric distributor. View the full SuperArc L-56 family including all diameters and package sizes, or browse all welding wire.
| Part Number | ED028676 |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.18 / A5.18M ER70S-6 |
| Wire Type | Solid, Copper-Coated MIG Wire |
| Wire Diameter | 0.035 in (0.9 mm) |
| Spool Weight | 12.5 lb (5.7 kg) plastic spool |
| Spool O.D. | 8 in (200 mm) outer diameter, 2 in (50 mm) arbor hole |
| Base Metal | Mild and low-alloy carbon steel; optimal on medium-to-heavy mill scale surfaces |
| Shielding Gas | 100% CO₂ or 75–95% Ar / balance CO₂; flow 30–50 CFH |
| Polarity | DCEP (DC Electrode Positive / DC+) |
| Transfer Modes | Short-circuit, globular, axial spray, pulsed spray |
| Welding Positions | All positions |
| Tensile Strength (typical) | 530–600 MPa (77–87 ksi) as-welded with C25 |
| Yield Strength (typical) | 430–490 MPa (62–71 ksi) |
| Elongation | 23–25% |
| Charpy V-Notch | ≥27 J (20 ft·lbf) at −29°C (−20°F) |
| Conformances | AWS A5.18 ER70S-6, ASME SFA-A5.18, ABS 3YSA H5, DNV III YMS H5, MIL-70S-6 |
Source: Lincoln Electric SuperArc L-56 product page
- Professional fabrication shops: The 12.5 lb spool reduces spool-change frequency compared to 2 lb spools while remaining manageable for field transport. Suitable for custom metal fabrication, furniture, frames, brackets, and structural components.
- Automotive restoration and collision repair: At .035", L-56 runs in short-circuit transfer at moderate heat input — suitable for floor pans, frame rails, and panels on vintage vehicles (12–18 ga mild steel). Use C25 or 75/25 gas for the smoothest bead on visible surfaces.
- Agricultural equipment repair: Farm equipment regularly presents heavy mill scale and light surface rust. The S6 deoxidizer package tolerates these conditions without porosity or inclusions.
- General structural fabrication: A36 and A572 structural shapes, gussets, and connection plates for AWS D1.1 weldments. The 12.5 lb format gives a good number of production passes before needing a spool change.
- Pipeline and energy: Available with Buy America and nuclear-grade documentation on select L-56 SKUs. Consult our team for procurement-regulated applications.
- Robotic and semi-automatic cells: L-56's copper coating ensures consistent wire feeding through robotic conduit without hang-up, maintaining stable arc voltage through long automated runs.
SuperArc L-56 requires DCEP (DC+ / electrode positive) polarity.
Gas selection for .035" L-56:
- 75% Ar / 25% CO₂ (C25): Recommended starting point. Smooth arc, minimal spatter, good bead appearance. When switching from 100% CO₂, reduce voltage 1–2 V to maintain comparable heat input.
- 100% CO₂: Deeper penetration profile, lower gas cost. More spatter; acceptable for structural welds where post-weld cleanup is planned. Typical short-circuit voltage range: 18–22 V at .035".
- 90% Ar / 10% CO₂: For spray transfer (above ~200A at .035"). Very low spatter, flat bead — preferred for robotic or semi-automatic production work.
Contact-tip-to-work distance (CTWD): 3/8" to 1/2" (9–12 mm) for short-circuit transfer. Extend to 1/2"–3/4" (12–19 mm) for spray transfer.
The 0.035" diameter is the most versatile in the L-56 lineup — wide enough for structural work (up to 1/2" plate in spray transfer) and fine enough for auto-body and thin sheet in short-circuit mode.
| 2 lb spool | Hobby use, small machines. Frequent spool changes. |
|---|---|
| 12.5 lb spool — this listing (ED028676) | Best fit for intermediate machines (180–250A). Good shop and field balance. 8-inch spool OD. |
| 33 lb spool | Production shops; fewer spool changes. Requires heavier feeder with 12-inch spool support. |
| 44 lb spool | High-volume shops. Less convenient for portability; ideal for bench-mounted feeders. |
| 250–1,000 lb drum | Automated / robotic cells only. Accu-Pak® and Accu-Trak® formats. |
- What machines is the ED028676 12.5 lb spool compatible with?
- Most intermediate and professional MIG welders with an 8-inch spool capacity and 2-inch arbor — including Lincoln Power MIG 180, 210 MP, 256, and comparable machines. Very small 110V portable machines typically only take 4-inch (10 lb) spools.
- What is the difference between ED028676 and other L-56 .035" part numbers?
- ED028676 = 12.5 lb plastic spool. ED021274 = 44 lb fiber spool. ED032927 = 33 lb plastic spool. Same ER70S-6 wire chemistry in all three — only package size differs.
- How many welds can I make with a 12.5 lb spool?
- Approximately 12,500–18,750 inches of weld bead on typical 1/4" fillet welds (roughly 1,000–1,560 linear feet). Actual consumption varies by joint size and technique.
- Can I run this on a Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual?
- Yes. Use a .035" contact tip and smooth V-groove solid-wire drive rolls. Set voltage and WFS per the chart inside the machine door panel.
- Does the 12.5 lb spool require an adapter?
- No for most machines — the 2-inch arbor hole fits standard 2-inch spools directly. Very small entry-level welders with a 5/8-inch arbor or 4-inch-only spool bay are the exception.
Browse sibling wire PDPs: SuperArc L-56 Family Hub — all diameters and sizes | SuperArc LA-90 .045" 44 lb (high-strength upgrade) | All Welding Wire
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