What do the numbers on a coated electrode welding rod mean?
Arc welding electrodes are coded by the American Welding Society [AWS]. Each AWS number gives complete information about the electrode. Classifications of mild and low alloy steel electrodes are based on an ‘E’ prefix and a four or five digit number. The first two digits [or three, in a five digit number] indicate the minimum required tensile strength in thousands of pounds per square inch [psi]. The next to last digit indicates the welding position in which the electrode is capable of making satisfactory welds. [1 = All positions, 2 = Flat position and horizontal fillets]. The last digit indicates the type of current to be used and the type of covering on the electrode [see fig. 1]. fig.
