SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding; a common electrode used for general structural carbon steel welding is E7018.

• A. Submerged Arc Welding; common electrode for structural carbon steel welding is E7018.
• B. GMAW (MIG)
• C. SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding; common electrode for structural carbon steel welding is E7018.
• D. SMAW stands for Shielded Metal Arc Welding; common electrode is E308.

Answer: (C)

Shielded Metal Arc Welding uses a flux-coated consumable electrode that provides both the filler metal and the shielding for the weld. For general structural carbon steel, the common electrode is E7018, which is a low-hydrogen, high-strength electrode. The “70” indicates about 70 ksi minimum tensile strength, and the “18” reflects its ductility and crack-resistance properties that make it reliable for structural welds. This combination helps produce strong, tough welds with good ductility, which is why E7018 is widely used in structural work.

The other options mix up the process or the electrode type. Submerged Arc Welding is a different process that uses a continuous wire and a granular flux, not SMAW. GMAW (MIG) is another welding process altogether, not SMAW. An electrode like E308 is intended for stainless steels, not general carbon structural steel, so it wouldn’t be the typical choice for structural carbon welding.