Page 41 - SSAB Welding Handbook Edition 2

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Welding handbook 6.0 The choice of consumables

All solid wires, such as those used during MAG Consumables Type of consumable
and TIG welding, can meet the specified hydrogen Solid wires ( MAG- and TIG All types
©SSAB
criteria. welding)
Flux cored wires (MAG) Basic and rutile variants
Consumables that utilize a flux, including MAG Metal cored wires (MAG) Certain types
welding with flux cored wires and SAW, have an Consumables for MMA-welding Basic variants
additional source of moisture pick-up in relation Consumables for SAW Basic flux/solid wire
to solid wires. The different fluxes are more or less combinations
prone to moisture pick-up from the environment. The Table 6.1: Consumables that have the potential to reach sufficiently
hydrogen potential in fluxes used in flux cored wires low hydrogen content for welding of Hardox and Strenx grades.
and SAW depends on their chemical composition.

Fluxcored wires and fluxes for SAW that include 6.5 Handling of consumables
a sufficient amount of basic chemical substances
can attain a sufficiently low moisture levels in the In order to achieve the intended hydrogen content,
consumable. These consumables are called basic flux it is important that the consumables are handled in
cored wires and basic covered consumables. accordance with their manufacturer. Otherwise, the
consumables can be subjected to excessive hydrogen

In adition there are flux cored wires for MAG pick-up from different substances in their environ-
welding that contain the mineral rutile (TiO ), called ment.
2
rutile flux cored wires that also keep the moisture
levels low in the consumable. General issues to consider in this respect are that:
4 The consumables are to be stored and kept away
The cover used in consumables for MMA consists from contaminants like dampness, oil and grease.
of a flux, which is kept together by a binding agent. 4 Opened packages of consumables for MMA
Both the binding agent and the flux are additional welding and fluxes for SAW often need to be
sources of moisture pick-up. stored at elevated temperatures - for example, in
small furnaces specially designed for consumables
For metal cored wires, there are certain name - in order to avoid excessive hydrogen pick-up
brands that can fulfill the hydrogen criteria. from the humidity in the air. Unopened packages
can normally be stored at room temperature.
The categories of consumables that can reach 4 Unopened and opened packages of solid wires
sufficiently low levels of hydrogen are summarized and cored wires can normally be stored at room
in table 6.1. This information serves as a general temperature since they have a relatively high
guide when choosing suitable consumables. It is not resistance for moisture pick-up.
a guarantee that every brand will fulfill the hydrogen
criteria. Information regarding the hydrogen
potential for a specific consumable can be provided 6.6 Preheat requirements due to the
by the manufacturer. In addition, SSAB has specified
examples of suitable brands in TechSupport no. 60. properties of the consumable

A preheat operation of the joint prior to welding
is sometimes necessary in order to counteract the
formation of hydrogen cracks in the joint. The
necessity for a preheat operation is determined by
the characteristics of the steels being welded and the
properties of the consumable. Preheat requirements
due to the properties of the consumable are stated in
chapter 4.
This handbook contains general suggestions and information without any expressed or implied warranty of any kind. SSAB hereby expressly disclaims
all liability of any kind, including any damages, in connection with the use of the information and for their suitability for individual applications. 41
It is the responsibility of the user of this brochure to adapt the recommendations contained therein to the requirements of individual applications.