Description E7018 is the most efficient general purpose, iron powder – low hydrogen electrode used for welding carbon steels, free-machining steels, and low alloy steels with a minimum yield strength of 50,000 psi. Washington Alloy E7018 has a very good deposition rate, providing a quiet steady arc with low spatter and medium penetration. Weld deposits are of X-ray quality with easy slag removal, exceptional mechanical properties and a smooth uniform bead appearance. E7018 has excellent operator appeal and may be used in any position with AC or Dc (reverse polarity). Applications E7018 electrodes are used for many ASTM specifications. More specific applications would include process piping, cold rolled steels such as found in heavy machinery fabrications, fired and unfired pressure vessels, shop and field welding of bridges and structural steels, cast steels, shipbuilding, just about any medium carbon, low alloy steel where the welds are subject to X-ray inspection.