The Hobart 18AC is a premium quality carbon steel electrode specifically engineered to overcome the common challenges associated with welding E7018 on alternating current (AC) power sources. While standard low-hydrogen electrodes often suffer from arc instability and frequent outages when used with AC machines\u2014particularly those with low open-circuit voltage (OCV)\u2014the 18AC formulation ensures a smooth, consistent arc. This makes it the preferred choice for fabricators and maintenance professionals who rely on utility-grade AC welders but demand the mechanical properties and code-quality assurance of an E7018 electrode.<\/p>\n
Classified as AWS E7018 H8, this electrode features an iron powder coating that facilitates higher deposition rates while maintaining a controlled, fluid puddle. The specialized coating chemistry significantly improves arc initiation and re-striking, addressing one of the primary frustrations in stick welding: the “sticking” rod. This characteristic makes the Hobart 18AC exceptionally well-suited for applications requiring frequent starts and stops, such as skip welding, tack welding, and short-run fabrication tasks. The electrode operates effectively in all positions, including flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead, providing versatility across complex structural assemblies.<\/p>\n
Beyond its arc performance, the Hobart 18AC delivers a weld deposit with excellent mechanical integrity. It is designed for joining low, medium, and high-carbon steels, offering robust tensile strength and ductility. The slag system is formulated for easy removal, often peeling away with minimal effort, which reduces post-weld cleaning time and improves overall productivity. Whether used in a heavy industrial shop or for on-site maintenance where power supply options are limited, the Hobart 18AC provides a reliable, high-quality solution for structural welding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hobart 18AC Stick Electrode: Optimized for AC Power Sources The Hobart 18AC is a premium quality carbon steel electrode specifically engineered to overcome the common challenges associated with welding E7018 on alternating current (AC) power sources. While standard low-hydrogen electrodes often suffer from arc instability and frequent outages when used with AC machines\u2014particularly those with… View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[1961,1959],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1800494","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","5":"product_cat-steel-electrodes","6":"product_cat-welding-wires-and-electrodes","7":"pa_aws-spec-e7018-e7018","8":"pa_brand-hobart-hobart","9":"pa_diameter-1-8-in","10":"pa_diameter-3-2-mm","11":"pa_packaging-description-50lb-can","12":"pa_packaging-description-50lb-can-50lb-can","13":"pa_polarity-ac-dc-ac-dc","14":"pa_position-all-all","16":"first","17":"onbackorder","18":"taxable","19":"shipping-taxable","20":"purchasable","21":"product-type-simple"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/1800494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1800494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=1800494"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=1800494"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/josefgases.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=1800494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}