Which type of rods are used to weld carbon steel tubes?

When welding carbon steel tubes, the choice of welding rods (electrodes) depends on factors such as carbon content, welding method, joint type, and service conditions. Here are the most commonly used welding rods for carbon steel tube welding:

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – Stick Welding Rods

Stick welding is commonly used for carbon steel tube welding, especially for structural and pipeline applications.

E6010 – Deep penetration, fast freeze rod, ideal for root passes in pipe welding (used in industries like oil & gas).
E6011 – Similar to E6010 but can be used with AC and DC; great for galvanized or rusted steel.
E7018 – Low-hydrogen electrode, high strength, used for critical joints requiring better toughness and ductility.
E6013 – General-purpose electrode, easy to use for thin-walled carbon steel tubes.

Best for: Pipelines, structural welds, pressure vessels, and general-purpose welding.

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) – MIG Welding Wires

MIG welding is fast and efficient, commonly used for carbon steel tubes in manufacturing and automotive industries.

ER70S-6 – Most common MIG wire for carbon steel, provides good penetration and weldability.
ER70S-3 – Used for clean steel surfaces with mild to moderate levels of mill scale or rust.

Best for: Thin-walled carbon steel tubes, automotive tubing, and precision welding.

Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) – Flux-Cored Wires

FCAW is suitable for outdoor welding, structural applications, and heavy-duty carbon steel tube welding.

E71T-1 – Gas-shielded flux-cored wire, provides deep penetration and strong welds.
E71T-11 – Self-shielded flux-cored wire, used without shielding gas, great for field welding.

Best for: Heavy-duty tubing, pipelines, and high-strength carbon steel applications.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) – TIG Welding Rods

TIG welding provides high-quality, precise welds for carbon steel tubes.

ER70S-2 – Best for TIG welding carbon steel, provides clean and strong welds.
ER70S-6 – Used when a bit more deoxidizers are needed for welding over rust or mill scale.

Best for: Thin-wall carbon steel tubing, high-precision welding, and critical applications like pressure vessels.