FCAW · Carbon steel
E71T-1
The dominant gas shielded flux cored wire for structural work, giving high deposition with a fast freezing slag that holds the puddle for vertical up welding.
What the designation means
- E
- Electrode, meaning the wire carries the welding current.
- 7
- 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal, given in tens of thousands of psi.
- 1
- All position capability, including vertical up and overhead.
- T
- Tubular, that is a flux cored wire rather than a solid wire.
- -1
- The usability class: a rutile flux that requires an external shielding gas and runs on direct current electrode positive with a fine, spray-like transfer.
At a glance
| Process | FCAW |
|---|---|
| Family | Carbon steel |
| Positions | All positions |
| Polarity | DCEP |
| Shielding | 100 percent carbon dioxide, or a 75 to 80 percent argon blend with the balance carbon dioxide |
| Minimum tensile strength | 70 ksi |
Typical uses
- Structural steel fabrication and erection under shop conditions
- Heavy plate groove welds where deposition rate drives productivity
- Vertical up fillet welding on beams and columns
How it runs
- High deposition rate with a smooth, spray-like arc
- Full slag coverage that supports the puddle out of position
- Excellent bead appearance with well washed toes
- Needs shielding gas, so it is a poor choice in windy field conditions
Storage and handling
Flux cored wire is hygroscopic once opened. Keep spools in sealed foil packaging with desiccant and bag partly used spools between shifts.
Compare with
FCAWE70T-1The downhand version of the rutile flux cored family, trading position capability for a larger, more fluid puddle and higher deposition rate in the flat.FCAWE71T-8A self-shielded flux cored wire that needs no gas bottle, combining all position capability with the low temperature impact toughness structural codes ask for.FCAWE71T-11A general purpose gasless wire with a smooth spray-type arc, common on small machines and light fabrication where no impact toughness requirement applies.