Why use cored wire?

Why use welding wire?

Welding wire creates a bond between two parts by adding metal, and in the case of the MIG/MAG process, it allows:

• Used as an electrode
• to transfer the necessary energy through the electric arc to the parts to be welded.

Did you know? Thin parts can be welded without filler metal. However, the use of filler metal is necessary for welding medium to thick parts.

Focus on flux-cored wire

There are two types of wire used in welding processes: solid wire (also called solid wire) and flux-cored wire.

Solid wire is made of a metal (steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or alloy).

Cored wire is composed of powder or flux compacted inside a strip or tube.

The powder composition defines the type of cored wire, for example, basic or rutile. It also allows for better control of the potential alloying elements that will be found in the molten zone, which can improve mechanical performance, for example. In most cases, this powder will generate a slag on the surface of the joint, which will contribute to its protection. However, this slag will need to be removed at the end of the welding operation or between two successive passes. In this case, we refer to FCAW or Flux Core Arc Welding.

We also find cored wires with a purely metallic powder inside. This is referred to as MCW or Metal Core Wire.

Cored wires usually work on most welding machines, although some include synergies that can greatly improve workability.

Initially relatively large in diameter, they are drawn several times. These two welding wires require shielding gas in most cases. It should be noted that certain cored wires, particularly those with a high aluminium content, can be operated without protective gas.

Flux-cored wire offers many advantages, including:

• Increased productivity: Since the strip is less resistive than the coating, most of the current passes preferentially through it, resulting in fusion and therefore a faster deposition rate.
• Better quality in terms of weld appearance, particularly thanks to the slag.
• Welding is possible in all positions, both outdoors and in the workshop.

Energas, a leader in industrial gases, provides you with the best information and advice regarding filler metal for arc welding processes (manual, automatic, semi-automatic, or robotic).

Our industrial welding experts can also guide you in choosing the most suitable shielding gas or gas mixture for your welding operation.

Energas can deliver gas in liquid or gaseous form (gas cylinders or bundles of gas cylinders).