Guidelines for the usage of cored wires
In order to obtain optimal welding characteristics
(arc stability, penetration, bead appearance, slag
removal) as well as optimal mechanical properties
in the weld metal, it is very important to use cored
wires in the correct manner. The essential welding
technique parameters that affect the final result are
covered in the following recommendations.
• Risk of insufficient gas shield
• Increased bead width
• Decreased bead thickness
Recommended wire stickout
Elgacore
Cromacore
1,2 mm
1,2 mm
Welding current
100-200A
200-300A
Wire stickout
The wire stickout (electrode extension) is the distance between the contact tip and the work piece
surface.. The stickout can vary between 15 to 25
mm but should be kept as constant as possible.
Each millimeter change of wire stickout affects the
welding current by 3-5 A. An increased wire stickout, at constant wire feed rate, gives lower current.
A too long wire stickout can result in a cold weld
pool and insufficient gas shield, both of which must
be avoided.
15-20 mm
20-25 mm
Parameter box
In order to ensure correct usage of Elga cored wires,
it is recommended to work within the applicable
parameter box for the product and application. The
parameter box gives the recommended amperage
and voltage level to be used in order to obtain the
correct penetration, to minimize spatter, and to
achieve the specified mechanical properties of the
weld metal.
An increased wire stickout gives:
• Colder weld pool
• Risk of insufficient gas shield
• Reduced penetration
• Less spatter in the gas nozzle
• Decreased bead width
• Increased bead thickness (more convex)
Both Elgacore and Cromacore products have a
wide parameter box, which makes it easy to set
the correct welding parameters. The parameter box
can be found on each product data sheet, under
“Recommended parameter range”
A decreased wire stickout gives:
• Risk of overheating the contact tip
• More spatter
Recommended parameter range:
Gas nozzle
Wire stick-out
10-20 mm
15-25 mm
Contact tip
Arc length
Base material
255