2 FUSED
FLUXES are manufactured by mixing the
ingredients together and then melting them in an electric
furnace to form a homogeneous liquid.
The liquid flux is then cooled until solid and ground to a particular
size suitable for the intended use of
the flux. The major
advantages of fused fluxes include: n
Because of the high processing temperature
(> 3000°F/1614°C), all components in the flux become
chemically combined. As a result, fused
fluxes provide stable welding performance even at high current
levels. n
Fused fluxes will generally not pick
up moisture; surface moisture condensing on the flux particlesduring
storage can be driven off by baking
at a low temperature (300°F/40°C for 1 hr.). n
Since fused fluxes are pre-melted,
they are extremely homogeneous and therefore, maintain consistent
chemistry throughout the weld deposit.
n
Fused flux slag may be crushed and
re-used; however, this may result in a loss of operability or
mechanical properties.
n
Fused fluxes provide for the highest
travel speeds in welding. The
major disadvantage for using fused fluxes is: n
They contain no metallic deoxidizers,
therefore minimizing their tolerance to rust and mill scale.
Continued on next page...
