Catalogue of covered electrodes

Thirty-seven common designations in one table: coating, current type, EN ISO and AWS classification, diameters and baking conditions. The search filters as you type — by designation, classification or purpose.

The packet beats the table

Classifications and baking conditions vary between manufacturers and between editions of the standards. This table is for orientation and for finding a substitute; the definitive figures are on the packet and in the batch certificate. Where the numbers disagree, they are right and we are not.

Carbon steel — rutile

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
АНО-21 R AC / DC± E 43 0 R(C) 11 2,0–4,0 70–100 °C a common choice for learning
АНО-4 R AC / DC± E 46 0 RR 12 3,0–5,0 70–100 °C runs reliably on AC
МР-3 R AC / DC± E 46 0 RR 12 2,5–5,0 70–100 °C a common choice for learning
ОЗС-12 R AC / DC± E 46 0 RR 12 2,5–5,0 70–100 °C
ESAB OK 46.00 RC AC / DC± E 42 0 RC 11 1,6–5,0 70–100 °C runs reliably on AC
ESAB OK 43.32 RA AC / DC± E 38 0 RA 12 2,0–5,0 70–100 °C
Lincoln Omnia 46 RC AC / DC± E 42 0 RC 11 2,0–4,0 70–100 °C

Carbon steel — basic

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
УОНИ 13/45 B DC+ E 42 4 B 20 2,5–5,0 250–350 °C low hydrogen, for critical joints
УОНИ 13/55 B DC+ E 50 4 B 20 2,5–5,0 250–350 °C keeps its impact toughness in the cold
ОЗС-18 B DC+ E 50 4 B 20 3,0–4,0 250–350 °C low hydrogen, for critical joints
ESAB OK 48.00 B AC / DC+ E 42 5 B 42 H5 2,0–5,0 250–350 °C low hydrogen, for critical joints
ESAB OK 53.70 B AC / DC+ E 42 5 B 32 H5 2,5–4,0 250–350 °C root run on pipelines
Böhler FOX EV 50 B AC / DC+ E 42 5 B 42 H5 2,5–5,0 250–350 °C keeps its impact toughness in the cold
Lincoln Basic 7018 B AC / DC+ E 42 4 B 42 H5 2,5–5,0 250–350 °C low hydrogen, for critical joints

Cellulosic — pipe and downhill

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
ВСЦ-4 C DC+ E 42 2 C 21 3,0–4,0 root run on pipelines
ESAB OK 22.45 C DC+ E 38 3 C 21 2,5–4,0 do not bake: the moisture in the coating is intended
Lincoln Pipeliner 6P+ C DC+ E 6010 3,2–4,0 root run on pipelines

Stainless steel

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
ОЗЛ-8 R DC+ E 19 9 R 12 / E308-16 2,0–4,0 150–200 °C
ЦЛ-11 B DC+ E 19 9 Nb R / E347-15 2,0–4,0 150–200 °C stabilised, against intergranular corrosion
ESAB OK 61.30 R DC+ E 19 9 L R 12 / E308L-17 1,6–4,0 150–200 °C
ESAB OK 63.30 R DC+ E 19 12 3 L R / E316L-17 1,6–4,0 150–200 °C
ESAB OK 67.60 R DC+ E 23 12 L R / E309L-17 2,0–4,0 150–200 °C dissimilar joints, steel to stainless
Böhler FOX CN 23/12-A R DC+ E 23 12 L R / E309L 2,5–4,0 150–200 °C dissimilar joints, steel to stainless

Cast iron

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
ОЗЧ-2 R DC+ Cu-Ni 3,0–4,0 100–150 °C cold welding of cast iron, in short runs
ЦЧ-4 B DC+ Fe-V 3,0–4,0 150–200 °C with preheat at 400–600 °C
ESAB OK 92.18 B DC+ E Ni-CI 2,5–4,0 150–250 °C cold welding of cast iron, in short runs
UTP 86 FN B DC+ E NiFe-CI 2,5–4,0 150–250 °C cold welding of cast iron, in short runs

Hardfacing and wear resistance

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
Т-590 R AC / DC± 3,0–5,0 150–200 °C deposit hardness 55–60 HRC
Т-620 R AC / DC± 4,0–5,0 150–200 °C deposit hardness 55–60 HRC
ESAB OK 84.58 B DC+ E Fe8 3,2–5,0 250–300 °C deposit hardness 55–60 HRC

Creep-resistant steels

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
ЦЛ-39 B DC+ E CrMo1 B 3,0–4,0 350–400 °C needs preheat and tempering
ЦУ-5 B DC+ E CrMo1 B 3,0–4,0 350–400 °C needs preheat and tempering
ESAB OK 76.18 B DC+ E CrMo1 B 42 H5 2,5–4,0 300–350 °C needs preheat and tempering

Non-ferrous metals

DesignationCoatingCurrentClassificationØ, mmBakingNote
ОЗА-1 A DC+ Al 99,5 3,0–5,0 150–200 °C
ОЗА-2 A DC+ Al-Si 3,0–5,0 150–200 °C
ESAB OK 96.20 A DC+ E Al Si 12 2,5–4,0 150–200 °C
ESAB OK 94.25 B DC+ E Cu Sn A 3,0–4,0 150–200 °C

The codes in the table

CodeCoatingBehaviour
RRutileEasy striking, even bead, self-lifting slag, runs on AC
BBasicLow hydrogen, tough deposit, wants DC+ and dry storage
CCellulosicDeep penetration, heavy spatter, downhill welding, never bake
AAcidStraightforward welds in the flat position
RC, RA, RBMixedA compromise between the properties of two types

Choosing a substitute

Electrodes are interchangeable by three parameters, not by name. Check them in this order.

  1. Strength class. The first figures of the classification — 42, 46, 50 — are the minimum yield strength of the deposit in tens of MPa. Substitute equal or higher, never lower.
  2. Impact class. The digit after the strength class gives the test temperature: 0 is +20 °C, 3 is −30 °C, 4 is −40 °C. On winter site work this is the parameter that matters most.
  3. Coating type. A basic electrode cannot be replaced by a rutile one on a critical joint: different hydrogen content, different ductility of the deposit.

Only after those three do the practical differences matter: how the arc feels, how the slag releases, whether it will run on AC, and what it costs. Feed the consumption into the electrode consumption calculator before ordering, and the price into the cost per metre if the job is being quoted.

Storage

Rutile electrodes tolerate a dry store and are largely forgiving. Basic electrodes need an unopened packet or a heated cabinet, a bake at 300–350 °C for two hours after exposure, and a quiver at 100–150 °C on the job. Cellulosic electrodes want ordinary dry storage and no baking at all. Stainless electrodes take up moisture as readily as basic ones and are baked at 250–300 °C.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of OK 48.00 if the store is out?

Any basic electrode of the same strength class: Böhler FOX EV 50, Lincoln Basic 7018, UONI 13/55. All of them give low hydrogen and want DC+, and differ mainly in arc feel and price. Match the strength class and the impact class in the designation, not the brand name.

What does E 42 5 B 42 H5 mean?

E — covered electrode, 42 — yield strength 420 MPa, 5 — impact energy 47 J at −50 °C, B — basic coating, 42 — efficiency and current type, H5 — hydrogen no more than 5 ml/100 g. The full breakdown is in electrode coating types.

Why is there a dash in the baking column for cellulosic electrodes?

Because they must not be baked like basic ones. The moisture in a cellulosic coating is part of how it generates its shielding gas: bake it out at high temperature and the electrode stops working properly. The most it will take is gentle warming to 70–80 °C.

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