Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR — 7/32 in. × 18 in., 50 lb Easy-Open Can (ED028917)
The Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR in 7/32 in. (5.6 mm) diameter, 18-inch length (part number ED028917) is the large-diameter, extended-length variant of the Excalibur 7018 family, optimized for maximum deposition efficiency on the heaviest structural steel applications. Classified to AWS A5.1/A5.1M E7018 with Moisture Resistant low-hydrogen coating, this 7/32 in. size requires 260–340 A on DC+ and is the choice of heavy fabrication shops building thick-plate pressure vessels, large-diameter storage tanks, and monumental structural connections where deposition rate directly controls project economics. The 18-inch length provides extended electrode life per rod and fewer changeovers during continuous flat or horizontal groove welding. Minimum tensile strength 70,000 psi; positions flat, horizontal, and vertical-up for experienced operators.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E7018 (AWS A5.1/A5.1M) |
| Lincoln Part Number | ED028917 |
| Electrode Diameter | 7/32 in. (5.6 mm) |
| Electrode Length | 18 in. (457 mm) |
| Package | 50 lb easy-open hermetic can |
| Coating Type | Iron powder, low-hydrogen, moisture-resistant |
| Polarity | DC+ (DCEP) only recommended for production work |
| Welding Positions | Flat (1G), horizontal (2G), vertical-up (3G) for qualified welders |
| Tensile Strength (min.) | 70,000 psi (480 MPa) |
| Yield Strength (min.) | 58,000 psi (400 MPa) |
| Elongation (min.) | 22% |
| Charpy Impact (–20°F) | ≥ 20 ft-lbf (27 J) |
| Current Range — 7/32 in. | 260–340 A |
| Deposition Rate (est.) | 10–12 lb/hr (at 290–330 A, DC+, flat position) |
Applications & Industries
- Heavy structural fabrication: Multi-layer groove welds on plate sections 2 in. and above; large gusset-to-column welds and moment connection fill passes requiring maximum deposition
- Large-diameter pressure vessel construction: Shell seam welds on thick-wall ASME Section VIII vessels where deposition economics are critical
- Above-ground storage tanks: API 650 tank shell and annular plate groove welds where flat-position welding predominates and high deposition drives schedule
- Shipbuilding — heavy structure: Keel bar assemblies, frame-to-shell connections on naval and commercial vessels where heavy-section flat-position welding is standard
- Mining equipment and large crane manufacturing: Boom heel and carbody welds on large equipment platforms where single-pass deposition reduces labor per joint
Process Technology
- Power source requirements: A heavy-duty industrial CC DC power source rated 350 A or higher at appropriate duty cycle is required for production work with 7/32 in. electrodes. Lincoln Electric's PowerWave and Idealarc families, as well as engine-driven welders in the Ranger and Vantage series, support 7/32 in. SMAW operation.
- Arc setting: Start at 290–310 A for flat groove fill passes; increase toward 330 A for maximum flat-position deposition. Maintain strict arc length control — a long arc at this diameter and amperage causes severe undercut and excessive spatter.
- Stringer vs. weave: Stringer beads at high amperages produce better mechanical properties and lower residual stress than wide weave passes. AWS D1.1 recommends limiting individual pass width to 2.5 × electrode diameter — for 7/32 in., this is approximately 5/8 in. maximum bead width. Multiple stringer passes are preferred on fracture-critical work over single wide weave passes.
- 18-inch length advantage: The extended length allows more deposit per rod on long, uninterrupted flat groove welds before a stub changeover. This meaningfully reduces arc-off time on production shop work.
- Preheat: At the heat inputs generated by 7/32 in. at 300+ A, standard A36 and A572 Gr. 50 still only require the minimum 50°F (10°C) preheat for sections up to 3/4 in. For thicker sections or higher-CE steels per AWS D1.1 Table 4.2, confirm preheat temperature with a contact thermometer before welding.
Storage & Handling
- Hermetic cans: 50 lb easy-open cans sealed hermetically at the factory. Store at 40°F–120°F (4°C–49°C) in a dry warehouse. No oven required before first use.
- After opening: Transfer unused rods to a heated rod oven at 250°F–350°F (120°C–175°C) at end of each shift. Keep rod quivers heated in the field.
- Re-baking: Recondition at 500°F–800°F (260°C–427°C) for 1–2 hours if rods are exposed beyond AWS A5.1 limits. Maximum 3 reconditioning cycles.
- 18-inch rod handling: The extended 18-inch length requires an 18-inch electrode holder jaw opening — confirm your holder is rated for this length and the amperage (300+ A). Standard 14-inch-oriented holders may not grip 18-inch rods securely at the full length.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is 7/32 in. 7018 available in 18-inch length but not 14-inch?
- Large-diameter electrodes (7/32 in. and 1/4 in.) are commonly offered in 18-inch lengths because their high deposition rate makes the longer rod length practical — more weld metal deposited per electrode before reaching the stub end. The extended length reduces changeover frequency on long flat and horizontal groove welds where productivity is paramount. Shorter lengths would require more frequent electrode changes and more arc-starts, which is the primary source of quality risk in multi-pass welds.
- What is the maximum single-pass fillet size possible with 7/32 in. 7018?
- Per AWS D1.1 Table 4.6 (maximum permitted weld size for a single pass in the flat position), a 7/32 in. electrode can deposit a single-pass fillet of approximately 1/2 in. to 9/16 in. leg size in the flat position at maximum amperage. Actual fillet size depends on amperage, travel speed, and weave technique. For fillet sizes 5/8 in. and above, multiple passes are required regardless of electrode diameter.
- Is 7/32 in. 7018 appropriate for all welding positions?
- The 7/32 in. Excalibur 7018 MR is best suited for flat (1G) and horizontal (2G) positions where the large molten puddle is supported by gravity. Vertical-up (3G) is possible for qualified welders but demanding — the heavier puddle requires excellent technique. Overhead (4G) welding with 7/32 in. is generally not recommended for production work; use 5/32 in. or 3/16 in. for overhead applications.
- How many 7/32 in. × 18 in. electrodes are in a 50 lb can?
- A 50 lb can of 7/32 in. × 18 in. Excalibur 7018 MR contains approximately 175–195 electrodes, depending on flux coating weight. Each rod is substantially heavier than 1/8 in. or 5/32 in. equivalents, so fewer rods per can is expected.
- What is the difference between 7/32 in. (ED028917) and 1/4 in. (ED028918) Excalibur 7018 MR?
- Both are flat/horizontal high-deposition variants. The 7/32 in. (5.6 mm) at 260–340 A and the 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) at 330–415 A both target maximum deposition on thick plate. The 1/4 in. requires a larger, higher-capacity power source (400+ A capability) and is used in the heaviest industrial shops. For most applications, 7/32 in. offers the best balance of high deposition and accessible machine requirements.
Shop all stick welding electrodes & rods. Compare: Excalibur 7018 MR 3/16 in. and Excalibur 7018 MR family overview.