Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR — 1/8 in. × 14 in., 50 lb Easy-Open Can (ED028281)
The Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR in 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) diameter, 14-inch length, packed in a 50 lb easy-open hermetic can (part number ED028281) is the most popular individual SKU in the Excalibur 7018 family for light-to-medium structural fabrication and maintenance work. Classified to AWS A5.1/A5.1M E7018 H8, this packaging format delivers the same Moisture Resistant low-hydrogen flux chemistry as the Excalibur line but in a versatile 1/8 in. diameter that suits a wide range of material thicknesses from 3/16 in. upward. The hermetic easy-open can maintains hydrogen performance without requiring oven storage before the first opening. Minimum tensile strength is 70,000 psi; the electrode runs on DC+ or AC (≥70V OCV) in all positions except vertical-down.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E7018 H8 (AWS A5.1/A5.1M) |
| Lincoln Part Number | ED028281 |
| Electrode Diameter | 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) |
| Electrode Length | 14 in. (356 mm) |
| Package Size | 50 lb easy-open hermetic can |
| Coating Type | Iron powder, low-hydrogen, moisture-resistant |
| Polarity | DC+ (DCEP) or AC (≥70V OCV) |
| Welding Positions | Flat, horizontal, vertical-up, overhead |
| Tensile Strength (min.) | 70,000 psi (480 MPa) |
| Yield Strength (min.) | 58,000 psi (400 MPa) |
| Elongation (min.) | 22% |
| Current Range — 1/8 in. | 110–165 A |
| Diffusible Hydrogen | ≤ 8 mL/100g (H8) as-supplied; reconditioning to H4 possible by re-baking |
| Approvals | AWS D1.1 pre-qualified, ASME Section IX P-No. 1 qualified |
Why 1/8 Inch Is the Most Versatile Excalibur 7018 MR Diameter
The 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) diameter is the most commonly specified size in fabrication shops and field work because it bridges the gap between fine-work diameters (3/32 in.) and high-deposition heavy sections (5/32, 3/16 in.):
- Suitable for base metals from 3/16 in. to over 1 in. thick without diameter change
- Fits within the output range of most shop and field welding machines (110–165 A)
- Acceptable for root passes in prepared V-groove joints on medium-carbon steel
- Used for fill and cap passes on structural connections, fillet welds, and plate joints
- The 50 lb hermetic can format minimizes packaging waste while maintaining hydrogen-control performance for high-volume shop use
Applications & Industries
- Structural steel fabrication: Beam connections, column splices, and gusset plate welds on A36 and A572 Gr. 50 steel — core use in structural shops worldwide
- General fabrication and manufacturing: Machinery bases, equipment frames, and conveyor structures where ductile, crack-resistant deposits are specified
- Field construction and ironwork: Erection welds on structural steel frames, crane pads, and industrial base plates
- Repair and maintenance welding: Carbon steel equipment repair where post-weld machining is not required and a smooth slag-peeling 7018 deposit is preferable to cellulosic alternatives
- Code-quality work: Prequalified under AWS D1.1 for statically and dynamically loaded structures; qualified under ASME Section IX for pressure-retaining welds
Process Technology
Running the 1/8 in. Excalibur 7018 MR (ED028281):
- Machine settings: Set to 110–165 A on DC+; start at 130 A for general structural fillet welds on 1/4 in. to 3/8 in. plate. Adjust downward for thinner materials and upward for heavier sections or overhead position work where penetration is critical.
- Arc ignition: Use a short scratch or tap start; immediately establish a short arc (equal to electrode diameter ~1/8 in.) once the arc initiates. Do not hold a long arc at the start — cold lap defects are most common in the first 1/2 inch of each pass.
- Travel speed: Move steadily — the 7018 deposit is fluid; too slow causes excessive reinforcement and potential underbead cracking from heat build-up; too fast creates undercut and insufficient fill.
- Slag peeling: E7018 slag is dense and usually self-lifting on flat passes. On vertical-up, the slag may need chipping at the toes. Always remove slag completely before adding the next pass on multi-layer welds.
Storage & Handling — 50 lb Hermetic Can
- Sealed can storage: Store unopened at ambient 40°F–120°F (4°C–49°C). No oven required. The 50 lb hermetic can maintains H8 diffusible hydrogen performance indefinitely when sealed and stored properly.
- After opening: For H8 applications per AWS A5.1, rods may be exposed for 9 hours before reconditioning is required. For more stringent H4 applications, limit atmospheric exposure to 4 hours. Transfer unused rods to a rod oven (250°F–350°F / 120°C–175°C) at shift end.
- Re-baking exposed rods: Recondition at 500°F–800°F (260°C–427°C) for 1–2 hours if exposure limits are exceeded. Maximum three re-baking cycles per rod.
- Bulk shop use: The 50 lb format is designed for high-volume shops; designate a can-opening procedure to ensure not all 50 lb are exposed simultaneously — open one pound tube at a time where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the amperage range for 1/8 in. 7018 electrodes?
- The Excalibur 7018 MR in 1/8 in. diameter (ED028281) runs at 110–165 A on DC+. A general starting point is 130–140 A for horizontal fillet welds on 1/4 in. plate. Increase toward 160 A for overhead work and heavier sections; decrease to 110–120 A for vertical-up on thinner materials where heat control is critical.
- How many rods are in a 50 lb can of 1/8 in. Excalibur 7018 MR?
- A 50 lb easy-open can of 1/8 in. × 14 in. Excalibur 7018 MR contains approximately 390–410 individual electrodes, depending on exact coating weight. The can format includes a hermetic seal to maintain low-hydrogen performance.
- Is the ED028281 the same as the E7018 H4R version?
- ED028281 is the standard Excalibur 7018 MR in H8 (≤ 8 mL/100g diffusible hydrogen) packaging. The H4R version (ED028280 and similar part numbers) uses an upgraded hermetic seal and flux formulation certified to the more stringent ≤ 4 mL/100g H4 limit. Both are E7018 classified; specify H4R when the project code or welding engineer requires the tighter hydrogen limit.
- Can the Excalibur 7018 MR (ED028281) be used for pipe welding?
- Yes, for fill and cap passes on non-API code pressure piping and structural pipe applications. For API 1104 pipeline welding with cellulosic downhill root passes, a cellulosic electrode (E6010, E7010-P1 Pipeliner) is typically used for the root before transitioning to 7018 for fill and cap. The Excalibur 7018 MR is not suitable for downhill vertical-down technique on pipeline due to its iron-powder coating.
- What is the difference between 7018 MR and 7018 AC?
- The Excalibur 7018 MR (ED028281) is optimized for DC+ with a moisture-resistant low-hydrogen flux. The Lincoln 7018-AC (a separate product) uses a modified flux chemistry specifically formulated to maintain arc stability on AC transformer welders at lower open-circuit voltages. If your machine is AC-only (transformer-type), the 7018-AC is a better match; if you have a CC DC welder, the Excalibur 7018 MR gives superior mechanical properties and bead quality.
Shop all stick welding electrodes & rods. Compare sizes: Excalibur 7018 MR 5/32 in. and Excalibur 7018 MR H4R family.