Features of E9018 G Low Temperature Steel Welding Rod
The E9018 G can be welded in all positions and has good welding performance.
The deposited metal has been well purified and refined, which has good FAC resistance and high impact toughness.
Chemical Composition of E9018 G Low Temperature Steel Welding Rod
| Chemical components of deposited metal (%) |
| Test item | C | Mn | Si | S | P | Cr | Ni | Mo |
| Example value | 0.058 | 1.36 | 0.22 | 0.005 | 0.01 | 0.24 | 0.94 | 0.4 |
| Mechanical properties of deposited metal (570℃×2h heat treatment) |
| Test item | Rm(MPa) | ReL/Rp0.2(MPa) | A(%) | KV2(J)-20℃ |
| Example value | 690 | 610 | 24 | 95 |
| Reference current (DC+) |
| Welding electrode diameter (mm) | Φ3.2 | Φ4.0 | Φ5.0 |
| Welding current (A) | 90-120 | 140-180 | 170-210 |
Where Is E9018-G Welding Rod Used for WB36 Steel?
E9018-G welding rod is used for low-alloy high-strength steel components where low-temperature toughness, strength matching and corrosion-related service performance are important. For WB36 and WB36CN1 steel, it is commonly selected in energy infrastructure welding applications.
Power plant pipelines: high-pressure feedwater lines and low-alloy steel pipe joints.
Pressure vessels: welded joints requiring high strength and stable impact toughness.
Nuclear and thermal power projects: critical steel components exposed to demanding service conditions.
Boiler and auxiliary systems: low-alloy steel components where weld metal quality and hydrogen control matter.
Industrial maintenance: repair welding of WB36 or similar low-alloy steel components.
E9018-G vs E8018-C3 vs ER80S-Ni1: How to Choose?
| Product | Main Positioning | Typical Application | Buyer Selection Advice |
| E9018-G Low Temperature Welding Rod | Low-alloy high-strength electrode for WB36 steel | Power plant pipelines, pressure vessels and high-pressure systems | Choose E9018-G when WB36/WB36CN1 steel welding requires high strength and low-temperature toughness. |
| E8018-C3 low temperature steel welding rod | Nickel-alloyed low-temperature steel electrode | Low-temperature steel structures and pressure components | Choose E8018-C3 when the project specifies C3-type low-temperature impact performance. |
| ER80S-Ni1 low temperature steel welding rod | Ni-alloyed low-temperature filler metal | Low-temperature service steel and structural welding | Choose ER80S-Ni1 when the welding procedure requires Ni-alloyed filler metal for low-temperature service. |
Baking and Storage Requirements for E9018-G Low-Hydrogen Electrode
To maintain low-hydrogen performance and reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cold cracking, E9018-G electrodes should be baked before welding according to project procedure requirements. As a reference, the electrode can be baked at 350℃ to 400℃ for 1-2 hours before use.
Keep electrodes dry before welding.
Use heated holding ovens when required by the welding procedure.
Avoid exposing low-hydrogen electrodes to moisture after baking.
Confirm final baking and holding requirements according to project WPS and site standards.
E9018-G Electrode Specification
| Specification Item | Minghua E9018-G Specification |
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.5 E9018-G |
| Electrode Type | Low-hydrogen, low-alloy high-strength covered electrode for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) |
| Coating Type | Low-hydrogen coating |
| Welding Position | All-position welding |
| Current and Polarity | DC+ / DCEP. Recommended current: Φ3.2 mm: 90–120 A; Φ4.0 mm: 140–180 A; Φ5.0 mm: 170–210 A |
| Available Diameter | Φ3.2 mm, Φ4.0 mm and Φ5.0 mm |
| Tensile Strength, Rm | Typical test value: 690 MPa |
| Yield Strength, ReL / Rp0.2 | Typical test value: 610 MPa |
| Elongation, A | Typical test value: 24% |
| Impact Toughness, KV2 | Typical test value: 95 J at −20°C |
| Mechanical Test Condition | Deposited weld metal after heat treatment at 570°C for 2 hours |
| Chemical Composition of Deposited Metal | C: 0.058%; Mn: 1.36%; Si: 0.22%; S: 0.005%; P: 0.010%; Cr: 0.24%; Ni: 0.94%; Mo: 0.40% |
| Baking Temperature | 350–400°C before welding, subject to the approved project WPS and electrode manufacturer’s instructions |
| Baking Time | 1–2 hours, subject to the approved project WPS and electrode manufacturer’s instructions |
| Main Applications | Welding of WB36 and WB36CN1 low-alloy high-strength steels; high-pressure feedwater pipelines; power plant pipelines; pressure vessels; boiler and auxiliary systems; nuclear and thermal power equipment; repair welding of WB36 or similar low-alloy steel components |
| Packaging | To be confirmed according to Minghua’s actual E9018-G packaging specification |
| Minimum Order Quantity | To be confirmed by Minghua |
| Inspection Documents | Batch chemical composition report, mechanical property test report and Certificate of Analysis can be provided subject to the actual order and customer requirements. This statement must be confirmed by Minghua before publication. |
Technical note: The chemical composition and mechanical properties shown above are typical test values currently published for Minghua E9018-G deposited weld metal. Actual batch values may vary within the applicable product specification. Final acceptance requirements should be confirmed against the supplier’s latest TDS, batch Certificate of Analysis, approved WPS and project specification.
E9018-G Welding Rod FAQ (Technical Insights for Engineers)
What is the AWS classification for E9018-G, and how does it compare to other low-alloy rods?
E9018-G belongs to the AWS A5.5 specification for low-alloy steel electrodes. The "E90" indicates a minimum tensile strength of 90 ksi, "1" means all-position welding, and "8" specifies the low-hydrogen sodium coating. The "G" denotes a general low-alloy classification. If your project requires different low-alloy properties, such as resistance to atmospheric corrosion, you might want to look into the corrosion-resistant steel welding rod ER7016-G which offers tailored chemical characteristics for weathering steels.
Why is E9018-G preferred for WB36 steel welding in power plants?
WB36 (15NiCuMoNb5-6-4) is a high-strength steel widely used in high-pressure feedwater lines. E9018-G provides an exact mechanical strength match and delivers exceptional Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) resistance. For heavy-duty industrial welding applications like this, selecting the right companion tools is crucial; for instance, high-precision automated or manual setups often utilize premium lanthanum tungsten electrodes to ensure arc stability in critical root passes.
What are the preheating and baking requirements for E9018-G electrodes to prevent cracking?
To maintain its ultra-low-hydrogen properties and eliminate the risk of hydrogen-induced cold cracking, E9018-G electrodes must be baked at 350°C to 400°C for 1–2 hours before welding. If your application involves surfaces that also suffer from extreme abrasive wear alongside thermal stress, implementing a buffer layer with a hardfacing welding rod after the main structural weld can significantly extend the overall service life of the components.
