New Nickel Flux Cored Wire AWS Classification Provides Industry with Insight on Growing Product Area
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St. Louis, MO (July 17, 2007) - The American Welding Society's recent issuance of standards concerning nickel flux cored wires allows fabricators to choose from a variety of welding processes, say officials from Stoody, the leading United States manufacturer of all-position nickel flux cored wires. AWS annually releases a catalog of codes to advise proper procedures and materials for every type of job in the industry that one could encounter.
The nickel flux cored wires have a distinct advantage over traditionally used stick electrodes because of their improved efficiency due to the elimination of needless starting and stopping and the associated stub loss waste. The flux cored wires also provide higher deposition rates than the solid wire version.
Stoody has experienced a steady growth in its sales of nickel flux cored wires, especially in the areas of offshore drilling rigs, the manufacture of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks, and scrubber fabrication for power plants, says Joe Hirscher, Stoody's Director of Sales. "The new AWS specification will now generate a wider acceptance of the wires and assure the industry of higher quality and productivity when welding in the vertical up position," said Hirscher.
Stoody Nickel Based Flux Cored Wires comprise a family of wires that can be used to weld and clad in those applications where nickel based solid wires for GMAW and stick electrodes for SMAW of equivalent composition are commonly used. The major advantages of the Stoody flux cored wires over the solid wire and stick electrode processes are:
Out-of-Position (OOP) Weldability: The Stoody wires incorporate a slag system that enable them to be run at significantly higher deposition rates when welding out-of-position when compared to solid wires or stick electrodes. Typical deposition rates are 11⁄2 - 2 times higher than gas metal arc welding with solid wire and 2-3 times higher than SMAW.
Although the wires are designed primarily for OOP welding, they can also be used for welding in the flat/horizontal positions with higher deposition rates and better weld profiles than can be obtained with SMAW/GMAW.
Gases used are typically Ar-CO2 mixtures such as (75-25) although pure CO2 has also been used. These gases are cheaper than gases typically used for solid wire welding such as pure Argon, Tri-mixes, etc.
OOP welding can be performed with standard constant voltage power sources. The ability to pulse is not required.
"The addition of nickel flux cored wires to the AWS specifications adds a level of legitimacy to the product," said Hirscher. "The client can now utilize the specification in lieu of lengthy welding qualifications. This saves the fabricator time and money while putting the end users mind at ease."
Founded in 1919 the American Welding Society (AWS) is a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a goal to advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines.
For further information about this product, visit Stoody's website at www.stoody.com contact Stoody at 800-426-1888, or contact your local welding distributor.
Stoody is a global leader in the design and manufacture of hardfacing and joining welding electrodes used to combat various types of wear and corrosion. Its extensive family of products includes iron, nickel, cobalt, tungsten and vanadium based alloys. Some of the major industries Stoody serves are power generation, mining, construction, railroad, steel, foundry, oil and gas production and exploration as well as the pulp and paper industry.
About Thermadyne Industries
Thermadyne Industries, Inc. is owned by Thermadyne Holdings Corporation. Thermadyne Holdings is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of cutting and welding products and accessories under a variety of leading premium brand names including Victor®, Tweco®, Arcair®, Thermal Dynamics®, Thermal Arc®, Stoody®, Turbo Torch®, Firepower® and Cigweld®. Its common shares trade under the symbol THMD.OB. For more information about Thermadyne, its products and services, visit the company's web site at www.Thermadyne.com.
