Recommended Guide for Shade Numbers

Miscellaneous Welding Recommended Guide for Shade Numbers
Operation Electrode
diameter inches
Arc
current,
amps
Minimum
Protective
Shade
Recommended
Shade
Number
Shielded metal arc < 3 < 60 7
3-5 60-160 8 10
5-8 160-250 10 12
> 8 250-550 11 14
Gas-metal-arc
welding
< 60 7
60-160 10 11
160-250 10 12
250-500 10 14
Gas-tungsten-arc < 50 8 10
50-150 8 12
Air-carbon-arc
cutting
< 500 10 12
500-1000 11 14
Plasma-arc
welding
< 20 6 6-8
20-100 8 10
100-400 10 12
400-800 11 14
Plasma-arc cutting < 300 8 9
300-400 9 12
400-800 10 14
Torch brazing 3-4
Torch soldering 2
Carbonarc welding 14
Plate thickness, in.
Oxyfuel welding < 1/8 4-5
1/8-1/2 5-6
> 1/2 6-8
Oxyfuel cutting < 1 3-4
1-6 4-5
> 6 5-6