Consistent Consumables
Take a peek into the latest product developments regarding consumables.
Posted: July 7, 2021
WELDING
ESAB EXPANDS FAMILY OF FILLER METALS FOR LNG APPLICATIONS, LAUNCHES SHIELD-BRIGHT FLUX-CORED WIRE FOR 9 PERCENT NICKEL STEEL
ESAB’s Shield-Bright NiCrMo-3 is a 625-type electrode for manual and automatic flux-cored wide-weave welding of 9 percent nickel steel in the vertical-up (3G) position and using 75 percent argon/25 percent CO2 shielding gas.
“We developed Shield-Bright NiCrMo-3 for a U.S. LNG tank fabricator that had shifted from a 1/8-inch (3 mm) vs. 5/32-inch (4 mm) root gap using a ceramic backer,” said David Hamilton, director of sales, Stoody, an ESAB brand. “Wider gaps are challenging for high-nickel wires because the puddle tends to be sluggish and have a high crown, but Shield-Bright NiCrMo-3 creates an extremely flat bead profile with excellent tie-in at the toes of the weld. It almost runs like mild steel wire, reducing concerns related to hot cracking susceptibility and stress concentrations.”
The wire is classified AWS A5.34/5.34M:2018 ENiCrMo3T1-4 and has a tensile strength >100 ksi (690 MPa) and a Charpy impact toughness of >52 ft. lb. (70 J) at -320 degrees F (-196 degrees C). Shield-Bright NiCrMo-3 delivers mechanical properties that exceed customer requirements because ESAB carefully controls weld metal composition.
During development, ESAB engineers used a weld data analysis system to prove the wire welds with excellent arc stability and amperage control. Lab tests in the 3G position showed a deposition rate of 5.25 pounds per hour (2.4 kg/hr) using a 0.045-inch (1.2 mm) wire. The slag released easily to reduce risk of slag inclusions and lower-post weld cleaning time and costs.
EXPANDED LINE OF POWER PINS FOR COMMON CONSUMABLES SYSTEM
The AccuLock S consumables system from Bernard (Beecher, IL) includes Lincoln, Tweco #4 and Tweco #5 as well as Miller power pins. All power pins are configurable options for the company’s BTB semi-automatic air-cooled MIG guns using the online configurator at www.tregaskiss.com/configuremygun.
AccuLock S addresses errors in liner trimming by locking and concentrically aligning the liner between the contact tip and power pin without the use of fasteners. This system provides a flawless wire feeding path to minimize downtime associated with issues like burnbacks and birdnesting. Installing and replacing the liner is an error-proof process that requires no measuring. Users simply load the liner and trim it flush with the power pin.
Contact tips last two to three times longer due to optimized wire feeding. Because they share the same contact tip as Tregaskiss AccuLock R consumables, the tips also simplify inventory as part of a common consumable platform.
The AccuLock S consumables system requires all AccuLock components: contact tip, diffuser, nozzle, liner, neck insulator, power pin and power pin cap.
ACCULOCK R CONSUMABLES NOW AVAILABLE ON FIXED AUTOMATIC AND ROBOTIC WATER-COOLED MIG GUNS
Tregaskiss (Windsor, Ontario) announced its fixed automatic MIG guns and robotic water-cooled MIG guns are available with Acculock R consumables. This consumable system has been designed to increase contact tip life and virtually eliminate cross-threading issues, leading to a reduction in both planned and unplanned downtime for changeover.
AccuLock R consumables are compatible with the Tregaskiss MA1 fixed automatic air-cooled MIG gun, as well as the Tregaskiss MW1 and AW2 fixed automatic water-cooled guns for hard tooling automation applications. They are also available on the Tregaskiss 600-amp robotic water-cooled MIG gun, which is designed to improve productivity on demanding applications, such as welding thick plate or running prolonged duty cycles. Customers currently using TOUGH LOCK consumables on their 600-amp robotic water-cooled gun can convert to AccuLock R consumables with no impact on tool center point.
The consumables, including contact tips, gas diffusers and nozzles, are an option to select when customizing any of the guns using the Tregaskiss online configurators.
ENHANCED FABCO TRIPLE 7 WIRE OFFERS EXPANDED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Building on a proven formulation, Hobart Brothers (Troy, OH) is offering its FabCO Triple 7 gas-shielded flux-cored wire with expanded mechanical properties. In addition to the American Welding Society (AWS) E71T-1 C/M H8 classification the wire previously held, it now also meets the requirements for an AWS E71T-9 C/M H8 classification. Being able to address the demands of T-9 applications makes Triple 7 ideal for achieving versatility in manufacturing, construction, fabrication, ship, railcar and structural steel applications.
Users can continue to expect the consistent performance Triple 7 wire is known for as a T-1 product, while gaining the opportunity to address T-9 applications without extra inventory. The T-9 designation provides greater impact strengths at low temperatures for critical jobs: 20 ft.-lbs. at -20 degrees F.
The wire excels at welding with mixed gases (75 percent to 85 percent argon/CO2 balance) and is also usable with straight CO2. American Bureau of Shipping approval certifies the wire meets the toughness requirements of 3Y classifications with both gases, and it is also approved for use in AWS D1.8 Demand-Critical Seismic applications. In addition, the wire is manufactured with steel made and melted in the United States for use welding government buildings, bridges and other structures under Buy American requirements.
A fast-freezing slag and spray-like arc provide excellent weld pool control when welding out of position, allowing less skilled welders to create flat, consistent welds. The slag is easily removed to simplify interpass and post-weld cleaning and reduces the risk of inclusions and associated rework.
To further reduce rework, Triple 7 features an H8 designation that provides a weld deposit with less than 8 ml of hydrogen per 100 g of weldment to minimize the risk of cracking. Users can spend more time welding and increasing productivity instead of addressing post-weld repairs. Low spatter levels reduce the time and cost of post-weld cleanup.
Hobart is offering the Triple 7 wire in .045, .052 and 1/16 diameters in packages ranging from 15-pound spools to 600-pound X-Pak drums.
