Self Shielded WiresSelf shielded wires are available to weld some carbon and alloy steels, there are also hardfacing versions for reclamation type applications. Self shielding wires contain fluxing agents that generate enough gas, normally carbon dioxide or fluorine, to shield the weld pool from contamination from the atmosphere. The main application for these types of wires is for outside and site welding, as no additional shielding gas is needed making the system more portable. The disadvantage of these products is that only about 65% of the weight of the wire is used to create the weld the rest goes on creating the gas and the surface slag cover. Some of the flux ingredients within the wire can have low exposure limits and this can mean that more stringent health and safety precautions are needed when using them.
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