A reliable, general purpose electrode for manual metal arc welding of carbon steels, carbon manganese steels and fine-grained carbon manganese steels with elevated yield strength. OK 48.00 deposits a tough, crack-resistant weld metal. The coating is of the low moisture absorption type. High welding speed in the vertical-up position. OK 48.00 is insensitive to the composition of the base material within fairly wide limits. The electrode can be used for welding structures where difficult stress conditions cannot be avoided.