Rapid Ref : 1816X

Bohler Phoenix Blau Mild Steel Electrodes, E6013
1816X

Name: Bohler Phoenix Blau Mild Steel Electrodes, E6013
SKU: 1816X

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Prices From £49.54 ex VAT

Rutile-Cellulose covered electrode. General purpose; useable in all positions; excellent gap-bridging and arc-striking ability; for tack-welding and bad fit-ups. Well suited for welding rusty and primed plates (roughly 40 μm); excellent vertical down characteristics. Useable on small transformers (42 V, open circuit).

Conformance
AWS A5.1-04: E6013
En ISO 2560-A: E 42 0 RC 11

Approvals
TÜV (00425.), DB (10.132.19), ABS, BV, LR, GL (2Y), DNV

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Mild Steel Electrodes FAQs

Straight answers to common questions about general-purpose rutile electrodes for welding mild steel.

Do I need to bake rutile electrodes like low hydrogen ones?

No. Rutile electrodes need a little moisture in the coating to run properly, so they should not be baked in the way low hydrogen electrodes are. Keep them in their sealed packaging or a dry, warm store and they normally run straight from the pack.

If a pack has been left open or the electrodes have become damp, re-dry them gently following the maker's instructions on the pack or data sheet. The temperature and time vary between makers, so use the figures printed on the pack rather than a general rule.

Is a rutile electrode suitable for structural or high-toughness work?

Usually not on its own. Rutile electrodes give a higher weld hydrogen level than low hydrogen types, which limits them to mild steel of modest thickness, and they are not intended for structures that need high toughness or crack resistance.

If a drawing, specification or welding procedure calls for a particular strength, impact toughness or hydrogen level, follow it and choose the electrode type it names. For ordinary non-critical fabrication, a rutile electrode is normally fine. When in doubt, ask the person responsible for the welding procedure.

What size electrode and current should I start with on mild steel?

A widely used rule of thumb is roughly 40 amps for each millimetre of electrode diameter, so a 4 mm electrode would start around 160 amps with an acceptable range either side. Always follow the current range printed on the pack, as it varies between makers.

Smaller diameters suit thinner steel and out-of-position work. Too high a current overheats the electrode and can cause burn-through and spatter, and too low a current causes sticking and poor fusion. Make a short test weld on scrap of the same thickness and adjust from there.

Will a rutile electrode run on a small AC welding transformer?

Many rutile electrodes will, but not all do. Electrodes designed for AC can usually be used on AC or DC, while not every DC electrode will run on AC. The coating binder affects which current type and polarity suit.

Check the pack or data sheet for the current type and polarity the electrode is designed for. Electrodes intended for AC have a stable arc at the lower open-circuit voltage of a small transformer set. If the arc keeps going out, a different electrode designed for AC is the usual fix.

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