During MIG welding of superduplex steels, it is difficult to avoid a loss of nitrogen from the electric arc when working with the protective atmospheres usually used for welding standard austenitic steel types. This results in a reduction of weld metal corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

Incorporating nitrogen into the shielding gas to compensate for this effect is detrimental to arc stability when welding solid wire and renders MIG welding quite difficult.

An attractive alternative is now available: flux-cored and metal-cored wires. These enjoy the same generic advantages as the current austenitic-cored wires.

Cored wires are available for assembling the principal superduplex stainless steel types.

The growing success of these welding consumables is explained by their ease of use and good weldability, as well as by mechanical properties and corrosion resistance which conform to the levels expected of a superduplex filler material.

These wires are used not only for MIG/MAG welding, but also for submerged arc assemblies where substantial gains in productivity are attainable, with exceptional levels of quality.

The essential characteristics of this new family of cored wires are described here, as well as methods of use and some examples of applications.