The present invention relates to a flux-cored wire which can be used for straight-polarity gas-shielded arc welding, wherein a flux contains one or several types of metal compound powders and, when one or several metal elements constituting the metal compound powders are formed into stable compounds under a high-temperature environment, the relationship between the weighted geometric mean value (Φ) of the work functions of the stable compounds and the wire diameter (D) of the flux-cored wire satisfies the following formula: {1.00≤Φ≤−0.0908D.sup.2+0.5473D+1.547}.

A filler feed wire (20) including both a laser conductive element (26) and a filler material (22) extending along a length of the wire. Laser energy (30) can be directed into a proximal end (32) of the laser conductive element for melting a distal end (34) of the feed wire to form a melt pool (24) for additive fabrication or repair. The laser conductive element may serve as a flux material. In this manner, laser energy is delivered precisely to the distal end of the feed wire, eliminating the need to separately coordinate laser beam motion with feed wire motion.

A filler feed wire (20) including both a laser conductive element (26) and a filler material (22) extending along a length of the wire. Laser energy (30) can be directed into a proximal end (32) of the laser conductive element for melting a distal end (34) of the feed wire to form a melt pool (24) for additive fabrication or repair. The laser conductive element may serve as a flux material. In this manner, laser energy is delivered precisely to the distal end of the feed wire, eliminating the need to separately coordinate laser beam motion with feed wire motion.

A flux-cored wire for arc welding, including a steel sheath filled with flux, where the wire contains, relative to a total mass of the wire, Cr: 16.0 to 22.0 mass %, Ni: 6.0 to 11.0 mass %, Mn: 0.7 to 2.6 mass %, Si: 0.1 to 1.1 mass %, Zr: 0.2 to 0.8 mass %, Fe: 45.0 to 65.0 mass %, TiO.sub.2: 5.0 to 9.0 mass %, SiO.sub.2: 0.1 to 2.0 mass %, ZrO.sub.2: 0.5 to 3.0 mass %, and Bi: less than 0.0020 mass %. Where by mass %, a Si content is denoted by [Si] and a Zr content is denoted by [Zr], a value of parameter A expressed by A=[Si]+2×[Zr] satisfies 1.4 to 2.5.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flux-cored wire including a steel sheath and a flux that fills the steel sheath. The flux contains fluorides of which a total value α of F-equivalent values is 0.21% or more, oxides of which the total value β of amounts ranges from 0.30% to less than 3.50%, and carbonates of which a total value of amounts ranges from 0% to 3.50%. An amount of CaO ranges from 0% to less than 0.20%. An amount of iron powder ranges from 0% to less than 10.0%. A X-value is 5.0% or less. The amount of CaF.sub.2 is less than 0.50%. The amount of Ti oxides ranges from 0.10% to less than 2.50%. A ratio of α to β ranges from 0.10 to 4.00. A total value of amounts of MgCO.sub.3, Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, and LiCO.sub.3 ranges from 0% to 3.00%. Other chemical composition is within a predetermined range. Ceq ranges from 0.45% to 1.20%.

In this flux-cored wire, the contents of F, Li, acid-soluble Al, Mg, S, CO.sub.2, Ba, Ca, Sr, REM, P, C which is not derived from a carbonate, Mn, Ni, and Cu are set to fall within prescribed ranges with respect to the total mass of the wire, and the blending ratio among these components is set to fall within a particular range.

In this flux-cored wire, the contents of F, Li, acid-soluble Al, Mg, S, CO.sub.2, Ba, Ca, Sr, REM, P, C which is not derived from a carbonate, Mn, Ni, and Cu are set to fall within prescribed ranges with respect to the total mass of the wire, and the blending ratio among these components is set to fall within a particular range.

The invention relates generally to welding and, more specifically, to welding wires for arc welding, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) or Flux Core Arc Welding (FACW). In one embodiment, a tubular welding wire includes a sheath and a core, and the core comprises a rare earth silicide component (cerium, lanthanum, or a combination thereof). The core may also comprise an organic stabilizer component, a carbon component, and an agglomerate. The organic stabilizer component may comprise an organic molecule or organic polymer bound to one or more Group I or Group II metals. The carbon component may comprise graphite, graphene, carbon black, lamp black, carbon nanotubes, diamond, or a combination thereof. The agglomerate may comprise oxides of one or more Group I or Group II metals, titanium, and manganese.

The invention relates generally to welding and, more specifically, to welding wires for arc welding, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) or Flux Core Arc Welding (FACW). In one embodiment, a tubular welding wire includes a sheath and a core, and the core comprises a rare earth silicide component (cerium, lanthanum, or a combination thereof). The core may also comprise an organic stabilizer component, a carbon component, and an agglomerate. The organic stabilizer component may comprise an organic molecule or organic polymer bound to one or more Group I or Group II metals. The carbon component may comprise graphite, graphene, carbon black, lamp black, carbon nanotubes, diamond, or a combination thereof. The agglomerate may comprise oxides of one or more Group I or Group II metals, titanium, and manganese.

A welding flux including a titanate and a nanoparticulate Niobium compound chosen from among Niobium oxides, alkali niobates and mixtures thereof.