FCAW: future of the welding

“In India, most of the construction equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have switched over to FCAW,” says Milan Supanekar, Owner, Welding Technologies India

FCAW is a faster, economical and most reliable process in the welding. Due to the higher speed, it replaces SMAW process, resulting in more productivity. In a conversation, Milan Supanekar shares why FCAW is the future of welding.

Equipment in FCAW
MIG and MAG welding machines, semi automatic machines (SPMs) fully automatic welding including robots can be used for the FCAW process.

Application areas
FCAW process is used in construction industry for structural fabrication, PEB, cranes, construction machinery, earth-moving equipment, trailers, tippers etc. Other than construction equipment, this process is used for heavy fabrication industry like boilers, pressure vessels, automotive, ship buildings, heavy pipeline, valves, pumps etc.

Advantages and disadvantages
In terms of advantages, one gets more strength and penetration than welding electrodes and solid wires. Also due to the higher speed, the productivity is higher. Higher diameter wires are also available. Disadvantage is that it is a little more expensive than welding electrodes and solid wires. Sometimes, availability can be an issue as imported wires are sold more than the locally manufactured. Also, all the imported wires are not approved by the Indian ratings agencies like IBR and EIL.