Flux-cored arc welding feeds a tubular wire whose core holds flux and alloying elements. Gas-shielded wires (FCAW-G), run with CO2 or argon blends, give high deposition and good out-of-position performance in shipyards and structural shops. Self-shielded wires (FCAW-S) need no gas, so they work in wind on bridges and buildings. Both leave slag that must be removed between passes.
Erection crew runs FCAW-S on the moment connections, no tents, no bottles.
Check the polarity printed on the wire box; many self-shielded wires run DCEN, and running them on DCEP gives porosity and poor fusion.
Also heard as
- flux core
- dual shield
- FCAW-G
- FCAW-S
- self-shielded
- inner shield
Related terms
GMAW
Gas metal arc welding: a continuously fed wire electrode shielded by gas, known in the shop as MIG.
Slag
The glassy crust that forms on top of a stick, flux-cored or submerged arc weld and is chipped off.
Shielding gas
Gas that protects the arc and molten weld from the surrounding air in GMAW, GTAW and gas-shielded FCAW.
Suitcase
Shop name for a portable, enclosed wire feeder carried out to the work on a long lead.