Flux core question

[air-sickness]

I received my free hat from ESAB along with their catalog for flux core wires.
In all of the descriptions and charts it show them using either straight CO2 or 75/25 shielding gas. Any reason for this? Doesn't this defeat the purpose of using flux core wire ????
Kenny

[1998harleyrider]

It's used as dual shield. At a higher amp/volt/flow rate you need an external shielding. I've never needed it on my Hobart 175 but at work we use 3/32" cored wire at 400 amps and 28 volts so we use 100% CO2 or we get porosity.

[MAC702]

Not all cored (tubular) wires are flux-cored. Some are primarily filled with metal powder for easy alloying and fast deposition, others with things besides just flux. But these also require a shielding gas, sometimes CO2, sometimes an argon mix.

But ESAB also makes self-shielded flux-cored wires, like the ones you are more used to and that most hobbiests use. These require no shielding gas, like you say.

[Zrexxer]

The free hat deal was promoting their "Dual Shield X" product, so it makes sense that the literature you received was for that line of products too.

They stiffed me on the hat offer, FWIW :rolleyes: