This work investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2507 super duplex stainless steel and API X70 high strength low alloy steel weld joint. This joint finds application in offshore hydrocarbon drilling riser and oil–gas pipelines. Coated shielded metal arc welding electrodes have been designed and extruded on 309L filler and their performance compared with a commercial austenitic electrode E309L. Filler 309L solidifies in ferrite-austenite (F-A) mode with a resultant microstructure comprising skeletal ferrites with austenite distributed in the interdendritic region. Results of tensile and impact tests indicate that weld fabricated with laboratory-developed electrodes has higher ductility and impact energy than the commercial electrode. The tensile strength and weld hardness of commercial electrodes are superior. The laboratory-made electrode’s microhardness is lower than the commercial electrodes, making the former less prone to failure. An alternative welding electrode coating composition has been suggested through this work and found to be performing satisfactorily and comparable to the commercially available electrodes. © IMechE 2021.