6011 and 6013 welding rods differ primarily in their coating and welding positions. The 6011 rod offers deep penetration and can weld dirty or rusted metal, while 6013 is ideal for clean surfaces and provides a smoother finish.

So, which one is better between the 6011 vs 6013 welding rod? In a short answer, both of them are flexible, all-position electrodes that work with both AC and DC. Choosing one depends on what your welding job requires. 6011 has more penetration capability while its counterpart gives off a seamless finish and cleaner appearance.

6011 is a fast-freeze rod used for dirty (or clean) surfaces and deep penetration. 6011 is a good choice for welding over galvanized. 6013 is a fill-freeze rod used on cleaner surfaces, with medium penetration and good results with poor fitup. Both are all position rods that can be used AC or DC.

6011 and 6013 electrodes are very similar. They are made of the same material, iron, have the same tensile strength of 60,000 psi, and have the same polarity. However, they differ in terms of penetration because the 6011 is much sturdier than the 6013.

The main difference however would be the appearance of the weld, the slag composition, and the nature of the arc. The 6013 has a soft arc, dense slag similar to 7018, and is more of a drag rod, while 6011 has a more violent arc, slag is flaky and you can manipulate the arc more by whipping it.