firemanmike69
Silver Member
Mostly NR-211mp and fabshield 21b I've run some of the radnor wire and while cheaper I don't care for it as much as the lincoln or hobart wire and it is spendy
Tips for fluxcored?
- Thread starter Nigelw
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Arc weld
Veteran Member
Not even close to 7018. General purpose lower penetration flux-core that doesn't require low temp. impacts. Closer to 7014 maybe. It runs on straight polarity and has less penetration than reverse polarity that a similar wire to 7018 runs on.
firemanmike69
Silver Member
Yes luckily I don't need to pass charpy v-notch tests or I'd switch to 232, that's why I said "basically"
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Arc weld
Veteran Member
You said basically like a long 7018 which isn't the case.
firemanmike69
Silver Member
I ment in terms of how the wire was run,uphill, drag the puddle etc
firemanmike69
Silver Member
Is there an equivalent fcaw-s wire? Would they be the h-16 wires?
Thanks for the response. I was keeping it light, so I will explain my answer and opinion in better detail.
Self Shielding wire uses volatile metallic compounds in the interior of the wire, which rapidly expand at arc time to create a gas shield of its own. You are correct that the gas forms with or without a nozzle. My response is based on an AWS study that demonstrated that nozzle and electrode cross-section has an effect on the uptake of nitrogen and other atmospheric gas in both metal droplets and final weldment. In short, anything you do to increase the stability of the protective shell of gas around the arc will create a weld with less atmospheric inclusion, and even a potentially better looking weld. All things being equal, I tend to use nozzles where I can, and I keep the nozzle down. Yes, it is messy, but that it why I don't toss old nozzles. I just re-purpose them to self-shield.
Are the differences that exist between shield or no shield going to lose the farm?
No. I doubt it. We're not welding gas lines. But the OP was asking for information on good practices, and I offered an opinion based on some research I did. I see your point, and don't necessarily think it is wrong. At the same time, I respectfully suggest that when possible, a gas nozzle does not hurt, and might (according to AWS) assist. If anything, when I weld outdoors I like the nozzle. Perhaps it's my style of welding, but I seem to be able to create a little wider weld in mildly windy conditions with a nozzle, than without. I have always wondered if that is a result of a better gas shield, or due to something like refraction of heat from the nozzle. I don't know, but for me the nozzle helps at some times more than others.
Respectfully.
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CNC Dan
Veteran Member
I've found this also. Better penetration and a longer duty cycle. Not sure why though.
Arc weld
Veteran Member
Solid wire MIG is a low hydrogen process. For self shielded T-8 is the closest as it requires low temp impact strength. Lincoln has a bunch of newer wires too but I haven't looked at them much because Innershield isn't very popular here. As far as a nozzle on Innershield, tests have been done in the wind to test the shielding and it passed with flying colors. I burned several rolls of .068 NR211 and a few 50 lb. rolls of 3/32" NS3M with a 2 3/4" insulated wire guide. I wasn't burning the 3/32" as hot as I could but still went through 50 lbs. in less than 2 1/2" hours. Welds looked almost like sub-arc... unless you got arc-blow. Then it made a real mess. I don't see how a nozzle will make any difference when nothing is coming out of it and Innershield requires a longer stick out from the contact tip than other wires anyway. I'd have to see a difference between 2 side by welds done at the same settings, one with a nozzle and one without.