S.A.W WIRE AND FLUX
Submerged arc welding (SAW) is a common arc welding process. It requires a
continuously fed consumable solid or tubular (flux cored) electrode. The
molten weld and the arc zone are protected from atmospheric contamination by
being “submerged” under a blanket of granular fusible flux consisting of
lime, silica, manganese oxide, calcium fluoride, and other compounds. When
molten, the flux becomes conductive, and provides a current path between the
electrode and the work. This thick layer of flux completely covers the
molten metal thus preventing spatter and sparks as well as suppressing the
intense ultraviolet radiation and fumes that are a part of the shielded
metal arc welding (SMAW) process.