FCAW wire for thick walled pipe

[KevinNZ]

Hi

We have a project coming where we will be site welding pressure piping up to 20mm thick. We use FCAW procedures but think there may be better wires out there for laying in the metal on these big welds.

Can any one recommend a wire for this type of work?

Thank
Kevin

 

[GRoberts]

What type of materials are being welded, what properties are required, and what options/preferences do you have for shielding gas?

 

[KevinNZ]

We are welding 5l gr B line pipe. no gas (flux cored wire)

cheers Kevin

 

[mcprofusion]

I would recommend employing FCAW for all Fill/Cap Carbon Pipe Welding, 045 wire with a C25 gas mix, which will produce minimal fumes. Our weld quality was extreme and very cost effective(4"Dia-200 / 8"up-330wfs). FCAW can lay a good bead even on 20" Dia and up. On big dia. your cap shouln't be much more than 1" in width, with weave.


MC PROFUSION
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website:

http://www.mcprofusion.com

 

[mcprofusion]

Just to clarify the WF speeds above were used in the 1G position. For an UH fill I would probably start 200-250 wfs 26-28 volts.


MC PROFUSION
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website:

http://www.mcprofusion.com

 

[stanweld]

I would not recommend self shielded FCAW electrodes for your application. Both Lincoln and ESAB have a number of excellent products classified AWS E71T-1. For your application, 75% CO2 - 25% Argon gas mixture is recommended.

If you must weld with the self shielded wires, I would recommend ESAB's Core Shield 8, which has good ductility and excellent operating characteristics with both uphill and downhill progression when using constant voltage, inverter power supplies. It is classified as E71T-8. Slag is easily removed and fuming is minimal.