Why use cored wires?

If with a solid wire is satisfactory, why use a higher priced flux- cored wire? A flux-cored wire is optimized to obtain performance not possible with a solid wire. For many welding applications like vertical-up welding, flat welding, welding over galvanized, or welding hard-to-weld steels, a flux-cored wire can do it better and faster.

Although gas metal (GMAW) with a solid mild steel wire is popular, easy-to-use, and effective for many applications, it does have limitations and drawbacks. For example, GMAW is slow for out-of- position welding. It is either limited to short-circuit transfer, which is restricted by many welding codes due to the tendency for lack-of-fusion, or pulse transfer, requiring a special welding power source. It also requires very clean steel.

The ability to add a variety of materials to the core of the welding wire allows many performance enhancements to be made. Slag formers are added to shield the weld pool and shape and support the weld. Iron powder is used to increase deposition rates. Powdered alloys are added to produce low-alloy deposits or improving the mechanical properties. Scavengers and fluxing agents are used to refine the weld metal.

Why be limited by a solid wire when a flux-cored wire can do it better and faster? Select the flux-cored wire optimized for your welding application. Use it and increase your productivity and lower your welding costs.

There are two main types of flux cored wire available in today's market, Gas shielded flux cored wires (FCAW-G), and Self-shielded Flux cored wires (FCAW-S);

Gas shielded Flux Cored Wires

Gas shielded flux cored wires (FCAW-G) were introduced to the market around 1957. The core ingredients for this type of flux cored wire have been formulated to obtain performance impossible to achieve with a solid MIG welding wire. As all of shielding is provided by the , the core materials may be carefully selected to maximize a certain area of welding performance, such as obtaining smooth spray-type transfer with 100% carbon dioxide shielding gas and welding speeds twice as fast in the vertical position.

Gasless (Self shielded) Flux Cored Wires

Self-shielded Flux cored wires (FCAW-S) were introduced to the market later than Gas-shielded flux cored wires, around 1961.

How are they different from Gas Shielded Flux core wires?

Self shielded Flux cored wires do not require shielding gases, this is because the core materials of the wire itself is designed in such a way that, when going through the arc, produces it's own shielding gases, as well as slag formers and compounds to refine the weld pool.

Best for outdoors.

The benefits of self-shielded flux-cored wires lie in its simplicity. Ideally they may be used outdoors in heavy winds without tenting and the additional equipment required for gas shielding.

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