AWS - Chapter 5 - Flux Cored Arc Welding
| Organization: | AWS |
| Publication Date: | 1 January 2004 |
| Page Count: | 44 |
scope:
Flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is a welding process that uses an arc between a continuous filler metal electrode and the weld pool. The process is used with shielding from a flux contained within the tubular electrode, with or without additional shielding from an externally supplied gas, and without the application of pressure.1, 2 The remarkable operating characteristics and weld properties that distinguish FCAW from other arc welding processes are attributable to the continuously fed flux cored electrode. The tubular electrode is a filler metal composite consisting of a metal sheath and a core of various powdered materials manufactured in theform of wire. During welding, an extensive protective slag cover is produced on the face of the weld bead. Flux cored arc welding offers two major variations, self-shielded (FCAW-S) and gas-shielded (FCAW-G), which add great flexibility to the process. These variations differ in the method of shielding the arc and weld pool from atmospheric contamination (oxygen and nitrogen). Flux cored arc welding is an efficient welding process readily adaptable to semiautomatic or automatic welding operations and capable of producing high-quality weld metal at a high deposition rate. Many industries rely on flux cored arc welding to produce high-integrity welds. Users of the process include manufacturers or builders of pressure vessels, submarines, aircraft carriers, earth-moving equipment, and buildings and other structures. This chapter covers the fundamental operating principles of the flux cored arc welding process and describes the necessary equipment and materials. Significant information is included for a variety of flux cored electrodes used in the major applications of FCAW. Welding procedures, process control, and weld quality are discussed. The chapter ends with comments on the economics of the process and important information on safe practices.
abstract:
Flux Cored Arc Welding
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