Alloy Cored Wire

A: It is important to store welding consumables in a dry area and in their original packaging until use not only to minimise hydrogen pickup, but also to minimise potential damage and keep clean from other contaminants. Pallets of wire should be stored off the floor and away from walls to allow air movement.

A: Flux core wire can last many years without any problems, but it has a limited life span. Over time, the flux material can break down, leading to erratic behavior in the wiring and eventual failure.

A: How to prevent burn-through in FCAW: To minimize the risk of burning holes inside the weld, you must reduce wire feed speed and increase the travel speed. As noted, going through the lower voltage range can also create a lack of penetration, so take things in moderation.

A: The flux core welding motion naturally produces slag. Therefore, it's best to pull away from what you've welded. Pushing the wire will cause the flux to become trapped in the melted metal.

A: Argon
High argon content gas (usually 90 percent argon/10 percent CO2, but mixtures range from 75 to 95 percent argon with the remainder CO2) must be used to achieve the beneficial spray transfer.

A: Solid wire can often be used with either a push or a drag welding technique. But achieving a flat bead with metal-cored wire requires a 15- to 30-degree travel angle with the push technique. Using a drag technique with metal-cored wire can result in a crowned weld bead. The work angle should be 45 to 55 degrees.

A: Worm tracks can occur with too little stick out because the gases don't have enough time to dissolve in the weld metal. A larger diameter wire may be less likely to cause worm tracks than a smaller diameter wire.