Flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding

Abstract

A flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding including, in terms of % by mass with respect to a total mass of the wire, 0.03 to 0.08% of C, 0.2 to 0.7% of Si, 1.4 to 3.0% of Mn, 0.01 to 0.5% of Cu, 0.8 to 3.0% of Ni, 0.05 to 0.5% of Ti, 0.002 to 0.015% of B, 0.05% or less of Al, 4 to 8% in terms of TiO.sub.2, 0.1 to 0.6% of in terms of SiO.sub.2, 0.02 to 0.3% in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 0.1 to 0.8% of Mg, 0.05 to 0.3% in terms of F, 0.05 to 0.3% in terms of Na and K in a fluorine compound, 0.05 to 0.2% of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, and 0.2% or less in terms of ZrO.sub.2.

Claims

1. A flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding obtained by filling a flux into a steel outer skin, comprising in terms of % by mass with respect to a total mass of the flux-cored wire, as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux, 0.03 to 0.08% of C; 0.2 to 0.7% of Si; 1.4 to 3.0% of Mn; 0.01 to 0.5% of Cu; 0.8 to 3.0% of Ni; 0.05 to 0.5% of Ti; 0.002 to 0.015% of B; and 0.05% or less of Al, and further comprising: in terms of % by mass with respect to the total mass of the flux-cored wire, in the flux, 4 to 8% of a Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2 in total; 0.1 to 0.6% of a Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2 in total; 0.02 to 0.3% of an Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in total; 0.1 to 0.8% of Mg; 0.05 to 0.3% of at least one fluorine compound in terms of F in total; one or both of Na and K in the at least one fluorine compound, in an amount of 0.05 to 0.3% in terms of the one or both of Na and K in total; one or both of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, in an amount of 0.05 to 0.2% in terms of the one or both of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O in total; and 0.2% or less of a Zr oxide in terms of ZrO.sub.2 in total, a remaining balance being Fe in the steel outer skin, iron powder, a Fe component of iron alloy powder, and inevitable impurities.

2. The flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding according to claim 1, wherein a seam in the steel outer skin is eliminated by welding a joint of a molded steel outer skin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a groove shape in a joint test used in Examples of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(2) Hereinafter, components of the flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding of the present invention, compositions thereof, contents thereof, and a reason for limiting the compositions will be described. The content of each component will be represented by % by mass with respect to a total mass of the flux-cored wire. The % by mass will be represented simply by %.

(3) [C: 0.03 to 0.08% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(4) C improves strength of weld metal. However, when the content of C is less than 0.03%, the strength of the weld metal is reduced. When the content of C is more than 0.08%, C remains in the weld metal excessively, and therefore the strength of the weld metal becomes higher to reduce low-temperature toughness. Therefore, the content of C is set to be from 0.03 to 0.08% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. C can be added from metal powder, alloy powder, or the like in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(5) [Si: 0.2 to 0.7% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(6) Si partly becomes weld slag during welding, and thereby improves an appearance of a weld bead or a bead shape and contributes to improving welding workability. However, when the content of Si is less than 0.2%, the appearance of the bead or the bead shape cannot be improved sufficiently. When the content of Si is more than 0.7%, Si remains in the weld metal excessively to thereby reduce low-temperature toughness of the weld metal. Therefore, the content of Si is set to be from 0.2 to 0.7% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Si can be added from metal Si or alloy powder such as FeSi or FeSiMn in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(7) [Mn: 1.4 to 3.0% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(8) Mn remains in the weld metal to thereby increase strength, low-temperature toughness, and a CTOD value of the weld metal. However, when the content of Mn is less than 1.4%, the strength, low-temperature toughness, and CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of Mn is more than 3.0%, Mn remains in the weld metal excessively, and therefore the strength of the weld metal becomes high to thereby reduce low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal. Therefore, the content of Mn is set to be from 1.4 to 3.0% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Mn can be added from metal Mn or alloy powder such as FeMn or FeSiMn in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(9) [Cu: 0.01 to 0.5% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(10) Cu makes a structure of the weld metal finer and increases low-temperature toughness and strength. However, when the content of Cu is less than 0.01%, the strength and low-temperature toughness of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of Cu is more than 0.5%, the strength of the weld metal becomes excessively high to reduce low-temperature toughness. Therefore, the content of Cu is set to be from 0.01 to 0.5% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Cu can be added from metal Cu or alloy powder such as CuZr or FeSiCu in the flux in addition to a Cu plating component formed on a surface of the steel outer skin.

(11) [Ni: 0.8 to 3.0% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(12) Ni improves low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal. However, when the content of Ni is less than 0.8%, low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of Ni is more than 3.0%, high-temperature cracking is easily generated in the weld metal. Therefore, the content of Ni is set to be from 0.8 to 3.0% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Ni can be added from metal Ni or alloy powder such as FeNi in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(13) [Ti: 0.05 to 0.5% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(14) Ti makes the structure of the weld metal finer and improves low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value. However, when the content of Ti is less than 0.05%, low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of Ti is more than 0.5%, an upper bainitic structure hindering toughness is generated to reduce low-temperature toughness and the CTOD value. Therefore, the content of Ti is set to be from 0.05 to 0.5% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Ti can be added from metal Ti or alloy powder such as FeTi in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(15) [B: 0.002 to 0.015% as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(16) A small amount of B added makes the microstructure of the weld metal finer and improves low-temperature toughness and the CTOD value of the weld metal. However, when the content of B is less than 0.002%, low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of B is more than 0.015%, low-temperature toughness and the CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced, and high-temperature cracking is easily generated in the weld metal. Therefore, the content of B is set to be from 0.002 to 0.015% as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. B can be added from metal B or alloy powder such as FeB or MnB in the flux in addition to a component included in the steel outer skin.

(17) [Al: 0.05% or Less as a Total in Steel Outer Skin and Flux]

(18) Al remains in the weld metal as an Al oxide during welding to reduce low-temperature toughness of the weld metal. Particularly when the content of Al is more than 0.05%, the toughness of the weld metal is significantly reduced. Therefore, the content of Al is set to be 0.05% or less as a total in the steel outer skin and the flux. Al is not an essential element but the content thereof may be 0%.

(19) [Total Content of Ti Oxide in Terms of TiO.sub.2 in Flux: 4 to 8%]

(20) A Ti oxide contributes to stabilizing an arc during welding, improves a bead shape, and contributes to improving welding workability. In addition, in vertical upward welding, the Ti oxide adjusts viscosity or a melting point of melted slag by being included in weld slag, and prevents metal dripping. However, when a total content of the Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2 is less than 4%, the arc is unstable, a generation amount of spatters is large, and a bead appearance and a bead shape are deteriorated. In addition, when the total content of the Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2 is less than 4%, metal dripping easily occurs in vertical upward welding. When the total content of the Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2 is more than 8%, the arc is stable and a generation amount of spatters can be reduced. However, the Ti oxide remains excessively in the weld metal to thereby reduce low-temperature toughness. Therefore, the total content of the Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2 in the flux is set to be from 4 to 8%. The Ti oxide is added from rutile, titanium oxide, titanium slag, ilmenite, or the like in the flux.

(21) [Total Content of Si Oxide in Terms of SiO.sub.2 in Flux: 0.1 to 0.6%]

(22) A Si oxide adjusts viscosity or a melting point of melted slag to improve a slag encapsulation property. However, when a total content of the Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2 is less than 0.1%, the slag encapsulation property is deteriorated and a bead appearance is poor. When the total content of the Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2 is more than 0.6%, a base degree of the melted slag is reduced, and an oxygen amount of the weld metal is thereby increased to reduce low-temperature toughness. Therefore, the total content of the Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2 in the flux is set to be from 0.1 to 0.6%. The Si oxide can be added from silica sand, zircon sand, sodium silicate, or the like in the flux.

(23) [Total Content of Al Oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in Flux: 0.02 to 0.3%]

(24) An Al oxide adjusts viscosity or a melting point of weld slag during welding to prevent metal dripping particularly in vertical upward welding. However, when a total content of the Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is less than 0.02%, metal dripping easily occurs in vertical upward welding. When the total content of the Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is more than 0.3%, the Al oxide remains excessively in the weld metal to thereby reduce low-temperature toughness. Therefore, the total content of the Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in the flux is set to be from 0.02 to 0.3%. The Al oxide can be added from alumina or the like in the flux.

(25) [Mg in Flux: 0.1 to 0.8%]

(26) Mg acts as a strong deoxidizer, and thereby reduces oxygen in the weld metal to increase low-temperature toughness of the weld metal. However, when the content of Mg is less than 0.1%, low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the content of Mg is more than 0.8%, Mg reacts vigorously with oxygen in an arc during welding to increase generation amounts of spatters and fumes. Therefore, the content of Mg in the flux is set to be from 0.1 to 0.8%. Mg can be added from metal Mg or alloy powder such as AlMg in the flux.

(27) [Total Content of Fluorine Compound in Terms of F in Flux: 0.05 to 0.3%]

(28) A fluorine compound stabilizes an arc. However, when a total content of the fluorine compound in terms of F is less than 0.05%, the arc is unstable. When the total content of the fluorine compound in terms of F is more than 0.3%, the arc is unstable to increase a generation amount of spatters. In addition, when the total content of the fluorine compound in terms of F is more than 0.3%, metal dripping easily occurs in vertical upward welding. Therefore, the total content of the fluorine compound in terms of F in the flux is set to be from 0.05 to 0.3%. The fluorine compound can be added from CaF.sub.2, NaF, LiF, MgF.sub.2, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6, AlF.sub.3, or the like. The content in terms of F is a total content of F included therein.

(29) [Total Content of One Kind or Two Kinds of Na and K in Terms of Na and K in Fluorine Compound in Flux: 0.05 to 0.3%]

(30) Na and K in the fluorine compound further reduce oxygen in the weld metal (such a reduction in oxygen cannot be performed only by Mg), and increase the low-temperature toughness and the CTOD value of the weld metal. However, when a total content of one kind or two kinds of Na and K in terms of Na and K in the fluorine compound is less than 0.05%, these effects cannot be obtained sufficiently, and low-temperature toughness and a CTOD value of the weld metal are reduced. When the total content of one kind or two kinds of Na and K in terms of Na and K in the fluorine compound is more than 0.3%, the arc is rough to increase a generation amount of spatters. Therefore, the total content of one kind or two kinds of Na and K in terms of Na and K in the fluorine compound is set to be from 0.05 to 0.3%. Na and K in the fluorine compound can be added from NaF, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6, or the like. The content in terms of Na or K is a total content of Na or K included therein.

(31) [Total Content of One Kind or Two Kinds of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O in Flux: 0.05 to 0.2%]

(32) Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O act as an arc stabilizer and a slag forming agent. When a total content of one kind or two kinds of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O is less than 0.05%, an arc is unstable to increase a generation amount of spatters, and a bead appearance is also poor. When the total content of one kind or two kinds of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O is more than 0.2%, slag detachability is poor, and metal dripping easily occurs in vertical upward welding. Therefore, the total content of one kind or two kinds of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O is set to be from 0.05 to 0.2%. Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O can be added from a solid component of water glass including sodium silicate and potassium silicate, potassium titanate, sodium titanate, or the like.

(33) [Total Content of Zr Oxide in Terms of ZrO.sub.2 in flux: 0.2% or Less]

(34) A Zr oxide is added from zircon sand or a zirconium oxide. In addition, a small amount of the Zr oxide is included in a Ti oxide. However, the Zr oxide deteriorates slag detachability. Particularly when the content thereof is more than 0.2%, the slag detachability is significantly poor. Therefore, the total content of the Zr oxide in terms of ZrO.sub.2 is set to be 0.2% or less.

(35) [No Seam in Steel Outer Skin]

(36) The flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding of the present invention has a structure obtained by molding a steel outer skin into a pipe-like shape and filling a flux thereinto. The kind of the wire is roughly classified into a wire having no seam in a steel outer skin obtained by welding a joint of the molded steel outer skin, and a wire having a seam in a steel outer skin without welding the joint of the steel outer skin. In the present invention, any kind of wire can be employed. However, the wire having no seam in the steel outer skin is more preferable because the wire having no seam in the steel outer skin can be subjected to a heat treatment for reducing a total amount of hydrogen in the wire, a flux after manufacturing does not absorb moisture, and therefore it is possible to reduce an amount of diffusion hydrogen in the weld metal and to improve low-temperature cracking resistance.

(37) The balance of the flux-cored wire for carbon dioxide gas shielded arc welding to which the present invention is applied is Fe in the steel outer skin, iron powder added for adjusting components, a Fe component of iron alloy powder such as a FeMn alloy or a FeSi alloy, and inevitable impurities. A flux filling ratio is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 8 to 20% with respect to the total mass of the wire from a viewpoint of productivity.

EXAMPLES

(38) Hereinafter, effects of the present invention will be described specifically with Examples.

(39) By using SPCC defined in JIS G 3141 for a steel outer skin, the steel outer skin was molded into a U shape in a step of molding the steel outer skin. Thereafter, a wire having no seam obtained by welding a joint of the steel outer skin and a wire having a gap without welding were manufactured into pipe shapes and drawn to experimentally manufacture flux-cored wires containing various components, indicated in Tables 1 to 4. The wires had a diameter of 1.2 mm.

(40) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 component of wire (% by mass) flux content content content *content wire total in steel outer skin and flux in terms in terms in terms in terms division symbol C Si Mn Cu Ni Ti B Al of TiO.sub.2 of SiO.sub.2 of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 Mg of F Examples W1 0.04 0.45 2.03 0.02 2.05 0.49 0.0086 0.02 5.24 0.41 0.21 0.46 0.15 of the W2 0.05 0.37 1.89 0.45 1.98 0.28 0.0054 0.01 7.09 0.57 0.07 0.35 0.23 present W3 0.03 0.57 2.94 0.37 2.17 0.27 0.0108 0.04 6.51 0.35 0.11 0.11 0.25 invention W4 0.07 0.48 2.32 0.28 1.52 0.05 0.0125 0.03 4.67 0.25 0.18 0.44 0.05 W5 0.08 0.21 1.42 0.08 1.08 0.36 0.0041 0.01 5.85 0.15 0.23 0.53 0.17 W6 0.04 0.51 2.23 0.11 2.95 0.18 0.0068 0.01 6.72 0.24 0.19 0.71 0.11 W7 0.06 0.33 1.95 0.22 1.17 0.41 0.0031 0.02 7.66 0.19 0.02 0.18 0.23 W8 0.05 0.29 2.16 0.48 1.94 0.35 0.0115 0.04 5.06 0.47 0.22 0.76 0.08 W9 0.05 0.61 2.02 0.17 2.47 0.09 0.0024 0.02 6.88 0.39 0.05 0.21 0.17 W10 0.06 0.43 2.15 0.32 2.11 0.12 0.0124 0.04 4.05 0.42 0.12 0.57 0.19 W11 0.04 0.68 1.89 0.41 1.55 0.29 0.0045 0.02 7.23 0.17 0.14 0.63 0.22 W12 0.06 0.35 2.22 0.33 0.95 0.33 0.0142 0.01 4.58 0.51 0.27 0.42 0.09 W13 0.05 0.41 2.07 0.24 2.16 0.42 0.0039 0.03 6.45 0.14 0.09 0.15 0.14 W14 0.07 0.39 1.95 0.35 0.83 0.26 0.0107 0.02 5.27 0.47 0.25 0.64 0.17 W15 0.05 0.44 2.16 0.09 2.03 0.32 0.0113 0.03 6.08 0.36 0.17 0.48 0.28 *As a fluorine compound, one kind or two or more kinds of CaF.sub.2, AlF.sub.3, NaF, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, K.sub.2ZrF.sub.6, and Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6 were used.

(41) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 component of wire (% by mass) flux **in fluorine compound content wire content in content in total content in total of Na.sub.2O in terms seam of division symbol terms of Na terms of K terms of Na and K Na.sub.2O K.sub.2O and K.sub.2O of ZrO.sub.2 ***others wire Examples of W1 0.12 0.03 0.15 0.04 0.07 0.11 0.07 balance absent the present W2 0.09 0.03 0.22 0.09 0.07 0.16 0.06 balance absent invention W3 0.14 0.08 0.22 0.08 0.08 0.04 balance absent W4 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.09 0.02 balance present W5 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.14 balance absent W6 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.12 balance absent W7 0.15 0.15 0.11 0.03 0.14 0.08 balance present W8 0.04 0.05 0.09 0.12 0.05 0.17 0.19 balance absent W9 0.05 0.12 0.17 0.09 0.09 0.04 balance absent W10 0.06 0.06 0.12 0.08 0.11 0.19 0.05 balance absent W11 0.07 0.11 0.18 0.06 0.09 0.15 0.08 balance present W12 0.08 0.08 0.05 0.06 0.11 0.11 balance absent W13 0.08 0.07 0.15 0.09 0.08 0.17 0.06 balance absent W14 0.12 0.04 0.16 0.05 0.11 0.16 0.08 balance absent W15 0.15 0.11 0.26 0.12 0.12 0.05 balance absent **As Na and K in a fluorine compound, one kind or two or more kinds of NaF, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, K.sub.2ZrF.sub.6, and Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6 were used. ***Others are Fe in a steel outer skin, iron powder, a Fe component of an iron alloy, and inevitable impurities.

(42) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 component of wire (% by mass) flux content content content *content wire total in steel outer skin and flux in terms in terms in terms in terms division symbol C Si Mn Cu Ni Ti B Al of TiO.sub.2 of SiO.sub.2 of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 Mg of F Comparative W16 0.02 0.29 1.69 0.34 2.04 0.22 0.0088 0.03 5.86 0.42 0.11 0.61 0.05 Examples W17 0.09 0.55 2.07 0.09 2.42 0.34 0.0051 0.02 6.55 0.35 0.09 0.52 0.22 W18 0.06 0.14 2.11 0.42 2.07 0.09 0.0109 0.01 7.14 0.18 0.22 0.04 0.08 W19 0.06 0.75 2.34 0.31 1.94 0.15 0.0097 0.04 6.35 0.54 0.19 0.48 0.07 W20 0.05 0.38 1.32 0.26 1.49 0.26 0.0063 0.03 4.98 0.48 0.09 0.36 0.11 W21 0.06 0.45 3.08 0.33 1.54 0.31 0.0081 0.03 5.72 0.31 0.05 0.29 0.23 W22 0.05 0.29 1.49 0.004 1.62 0.27 0.0115 0.03 7.03 0.29 0.18 0.71 0.18 W23 0.06 0.51 2.43 0.56 2.48 0.35 0.0123 0.02 6.52 0.17 0.27 0.58 0.14 W24 0.05 0.38 1.89 0.28 0.73 0.42 0.0107 0.02 5.88 0.39 0.15 0.62 0.29 W25 0.05 0.27 2.28 0.08 3.09 0.28 0.0014 0.01 5.31 0.45 0.16 0.43 0.17 W26 0.06 0.48 2.79 0.27 0.99 0.02 0.0125 0.04 6.45 0.54 0.25 0.39 0.36 W27 0.04 0.56 1.72 0.17 1.88 0.55 0.0054 0.01 7.05 0.32 0.17 0.52 0.02 W28 0.05 0.64 2.15 0.36 2.15 0.11 0.0161 0.02 6.13 0.35 0.12 0.85 0.23 W29 0.05 0.51 2.24 0.25 2.31 0.07 0.0091 0.06 6.21 0.04 0.11 0.18 0.16 W30 0.05 0.39 1.98 0.27 1.97 0.35 0.0048 0.03 3.48 0.46 0.36 0.25 0.09 W31 0.04 0.45 2.05 0.44 2.01 0.44 0.0052 0.02 8.09 0.22 0.01 0.46 0.22 W32 0.05 0.38 2.13 0.31 2.23 0.29 0.0084 0.01 5.84 0.66 0.22 0.43 0.18 *As a fluorine compound, one kind or two or more kinds of CaF.sub.2, AlF.sub.3, NaF, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, K.sub.2ZrF.sub.6, and Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6 were used.

(43) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 component of wire (% by mass) flux **in fluorine compound total of content in wire content in content in total content in Na.sub.2O and terms of seam of division symbol terms of Na terms of K terms of Na and K Na.sub.2O K.sub.2O K.sub.2O ZrO.sub.2 ***others wire Comparative W16 0.83 0.03 0.05 0.07 0.12 0.05 balance absent Examples W17 0.11 0.08 0.19 0.06 0.06 0.03 balance present W18 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.11 0.18 0.04 balance absent W19 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.00 0.25 balance absent W20 0.09 0.09 0.11 0.15 0.26 0.11 balance absent W21 0.15 0.06 0.21 0.06 0.03 0.09 0.06 balance present W22 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.02 0.02 0.07 balance absent W23 0.08 0.07 0.15 0.05 0.06 0.11 0.13 balance present W24 0.21 0.14 0.35 0.09 0.08 0.17 0.07 balance absent W25 0.09 0.07 0.16 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.04 balance absent W26 0.21 0.08 0.29 0.11 0.07 0.18 0.05 balance absent W27 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.11 0.15 0.03 balance absent W28 0.13 0.09 0.22 0.11 0.08 0.19 0.02 balance absent W29 0.08 0.06 0.14 0.05 0.12 0.17 0.07 balance absent W30 0.08 0.08 0.05 0.08 0.13 0.05 balance absent W31 0.13 0.08 0.21 0.07 0.07 0.14 0.04 balance absent W32 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.12 0.12 0.06 balance absent **As Na and K in a fluorine compound, one kind or two or more kinds of NaF, K.sub.2SiF.sub.6, K.sub.2ZrF.sub.6, and Na.sub.3AlF.sub.6 were used. ***Others are Fe in a steel outer skin, iron powder, a Fe component of an iron alloy, and inevitable impurities.

(44) For the experimentally manufactured wires, welding workability was evaluated by vertical upward fillet welding using a steel plate defined by JIS Z G 3126 SLA 365, and mechanical properties were evaluated by a welding cracking test and a deposited metal test. In addition, for some experimentally manufactured wires, a welding joint test was performed by vertical upward welding using a K groove illustrated in FIG. 1 to perform a CTOD test. In this K groove, a groove angle was set to 45, a groove depth on a surface side was set to 23 mm, and a groove depth on a back side was set to 35 mm. These welding conditions are indicated in Table 5.

(45) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 plate welding thickness current voltage welding speed test item position (mm) welding method shielding gas groove (A) (V) (cm/min) evaluation of vertical 12 semi-automatic 100% Co.sub.2 25 L/ T type fillet 210 23 approximately welding upward MAG minute 10 workability deposited metal downward 20 automatic MAG in conformity with 270 29 30 test JIS Z 3111 welding cracking downward 40 automatic MAG 20 on one side 240 26 22 test U groove welding joint test vertical 60 semi-automatic FIG. 1 (K groove) 190 to 21 to 19 to 23 (CTOD) upward MAG 220 25

(46) Evaluation of welding workability by vertical upward welding was performed by examining stability of an arc when semi-automatic MAG welding was performed, a generation state of spatters, presence of melted metal dripping, an appearance and a shape of a bead, slag detachability, and presence of high-temperature cracking.

(47) The welding cracking test was performed in conformity with a U shape welding cracking test method (JIS Z 3157) at a preheated temperature of a test body of 75 C. Presence of surface cracking or cross section cracking (five cross sections) of the test body 58 hours after welding was examined by penetrant testing (JIS Z 2343).

(48) The deposited metal test was performed by welding in conformity with JIS Z 3111. A tensile test piece (No. A0) and an impact test piece (V notch test piece) were collected from a central part of deposited metal in a plate thickness direction to perform a mechanical test. Evaluation of toughness was performed by a Charpy impact test at 60 C. The Charpy impact test was performed repeatedly for each test piece, and a test piece having an average (vE-60) of three absorption energies of 60 J or more was evaluated as being excellent. In evaluation in the tensile test, a test piece having tensile strength (TS) of 600 to 770 MPa was evaluated as being excellent.

(49) In the welding joint test, a back side of the K groove illustrated in FIG. 1 was welded, and then the groove was subjected to back chipping of a radius of 6 mm and a groove angle of 45 from a steel plate surface to a depth of 34 mm, and a surface side was welded. For evaluation of a CTOD value by the welding joint test, a CTOD test piece was collected in conformity with BS (British standard) 5762, and three tests were performed repeatedly at a test temperature of 30 C. A test piece having a minimum CTOD value of 0.5 mm or more was evaluated as being excellent. These results are indicated in Table 6 collectively.

(50) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 results of U results of type mechanical test cracking CTOD test value wire test results of presence of TS 30 C. total division symbol welding workability cracks (MPa) vE-60(J) (mm) evaluation Examples of W1 excellent absent 750 92 the present W2 excellent absent 670 83 0.73 invention W3 excellent absent 761 76 W4 excellent absent 619 89 W5 excellent absent 644 82 0.65 W6 excellent absent 670 103 W7 excellent absent 708 80 W8 excellent absent 740 74 W9 excellent absent 602 98 0.82 W10 excellent absent 644 74 1.05 W11 excellent absent 635 87 W12 excellent absent 695 78 W13 excellent absent 766 79 0.71 W14 excellent absent 646 77 W15 excellent absent 705 85 Comparative W16 excellent absent 550 38 0.23 X Examples W17 excellent present 843 55 X W18 poor appearance and absent 613 49 0.19 X shape of bead W19 poor slag absent 690 54 X detachability W20 poor slag absent 571 51 0.21 X detachability, metal dripping W21 excellent present 837 53 0.24 X W22 unstable arc, a absent 581 52 X large amount of spatters, poor appearance of bead W23 excellent present 852 48 X W24 a large amount of absent 659 39 0.29 X spatters W25 crater cracking absent 753 35 0.17 X W26 unstable arc, a absent 603 46 0.25 X large amount of spatters, metal dripping W27 unstable arc absent 750 48 0.22 X W28 crater cracking, a absent 627 51 0.31 X large amount of spatters, a large amount of fumes W29 poor appearance of absent 611 55 X bead W30 unstable arc, a absent 706 53 X large amount of spatters, poor appearance of bead, metal dripping W31 metal dripping absent 756 49 X W32 excellent absent 711 47 X

(51) Wire symbols W1 to W15 in Tables 1, 2, and 6 represent Examples of the present invention, and wire symbols W16 to W32 in Tables 3, 4, and 6 represent Comparative Examples. The wire symbols W1 to W15 as Examples of the present invention had compositions of components within a range defined in the present invention. Therefore, the wire symbols W1 to W15 had excellent welding workability, no crack in a U type cracking test, and excellent tensile strength and absorption energy in a deposited metal test. That is, the wire symbols W1 to W15 obtained extremely satisfactory results. The wire symbols W2, W5, W9, W10, and W13 which had been subjected to a welding joint test obtained excellent CTOD values.

(52) The wire symbol W16 in Comparative Examples included a small amount of C. Therefore, in the wire symbol W16, the tensile strength of deposited metal was low. In addition, the wire symbol W16 included a small amount in terms of Na and K in the fluorine compound. Therefore, in the wire symbol W16, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low.

(53) The wire symbol W17 included a large amount of C. Therefore, in the wire symbol W17, the tensile strength of deposited metal was high and the absorption energy was low. In addition, in the wire symbol W17, there was a seam in a steel outer skin and the tensile strength of the deposited metal was high, and therefore a crack was generated in a welded part in the U type cracking test.

(54) The wire symbol W18 included a small amount of Si. Therefore, in the wire symbol W18, an appearance and a shape of a bead were poor. In addition, the wire symbol W18 included a small amount of Mg. Therefore, in the wire symbol W18, the absorption energy of the deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low.

(55) The wire symbol W19 included a large amount of Si. Therefore, in the wire symbol W19, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low. In addition, the wire symbol W19 included a large amount of a Zr oxide in terms of ZrO.sub.2. Therefore, in the wire symbol W19, slag detachability was poor.

(56) The wire symbol W20 included a small amount of Mn. Therefore, in the wire symbol W20, the tensile strength of deposited metal was low and the absorption energy was low. In addition, a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low. In addition, the wire symbol W20 included a large amount of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O in total. Therefore, in the wire symbol W20, slag detachability was poor and metal dripping occurred.

(57) The wire symbol W21 included a large amount of Mn. Therefore, in the wire symbol W21, the tensile strength of deposited metal was high and the absorption energy was low. In addition, in the wire symbol W21, there was a seam in a steel outer skin and the tensile strength of the deposited metal was high, and therefore a crack was generated in a welded part in the U type cracking test. In addition, a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low.

(58) The wire symbol W22 included a small amount of Cu. Therefore, in the wire symbol W22, the tensile strength of deposited metal was low and the absorption energy was low. In addition, the wire symbol W22 included a large amount of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O in total. Therefore, in the wire symbol W22, an arc was unstable, a generation amount of spatters was large, and an appearance of a bead was poor.

(59) The wire symbol W23 included a large amount of Cu. Therefore, in the wire symbol W23, the tensile strength of deposited metal was high and the absorption energy was low. In addition, in the wire symbol W23, there was a seam in a steel outer skin and the tensile strength of the deposited metal was high, and therefore a crack was generated in a welded part in the U type cracking test.

(60) The wire symbol W24 included a small amount of Ni. Therefore, in the wire symbol W24, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low. Furthermore, the wire symbol W24 included a large amount in terms of Na and K in the fluorine compound. Therefore, in the wire symbol W24, a generation amount of spatters was large.

(61) The wire symbol W25 included a large amount of Ni. Therefore, in the wire symbol W25, high-temperature cracking was generated in a crater part. In addition, the wire symbol W25 included a small amount of B. Therefore, in the wire symbol W25, the absorption energy of the deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low.

(62) The wire symbol W26 included a small amount of Ti. Therefore, in the wire symbol W26, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low. In addition, the wire symbol W26 included a large amount of a fluorine compound in terms of F. Therefore, in the wire symbol W26, an arc was unstable, a generation amount of spatters was large, and metal dripping occurred.

(63) The wire symbol W27 included a large amount of Ti. Therefore, in the wire symbol W27, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low and a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low. In addition, the wire symbol W27 included a small amount of a fluorine compound in terms of F. Therefore, in the wire symbol W27, an arc was unstable.

(64) The wire symbol W28 included a large amount of B. Therefore, in the wire symbol W28, high-temperature cracking was generated in a crater part and the absorption energy of deposited metal was low. In addition, a CTOD value in the welding joint test was low. In addition, the wire symbol W28 had a large amount of Mg. Therefore, in the wire symbol W28, generation amounts of spatters and fumes were large.

(65) The wire symbol W29 included a large amount of Al. Therefore, in the wire symbol W29, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low. In addition, the wire symbol W29 included a small amount of a Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2. Therefore, in the wire symbol W29, a slag encapsulation property was poor and a bead appearance was poor.

(66) The wire symbol W30 included a small amount of a Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2. Therefore, in the wire symbol W30, an arc was unstable, a generation amount of spatters was large, a bead appearance was poor, and metal dripping occurred. In addition, the wire symbol W30 included a large amount of an Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Therefore, in the wire symbol W30, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low.

(67) The wire symbol W31 included a large amount of a Ti oxide in terms of TiO.sub.2. Therefore, in the wire symbol W31, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low. In addition, the wire symbol W31 included a small amount of an Al oxide in terms of Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Therefore, in the wire symbol W31, metal dripping occurred.

(68) The wire symbol W32 included a large amount of a Si oxide in terms of SiO.sub.2. Therefore, in the wire symbol W32, the absorption energy of deposited metal was low.