MIG Wire Specifications

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Okay, I've been searching here for about 20 minutes for this but can't find the answer to MY exact question..When MIG wire is expressed (for example, ER70S-3)...  I know (from searching these forums ) that the "-2, -3, -4..." and so on is the amount of deoxidizers which chemically combine to remove oxygen (increase electrons to) from what you're trying to weld...I've noticed the word "forgiving" when this is explained.  Such as, "The higher amount of deoxidizers make it more forgiving..."What is "forgiving" actually meant in this definition?  Do higher numbers (-2, -3, -6...) mean that the weld strength will be stronger?  better looking?  easier to do if one were in an out of place position? I guess I'm just trying to understand why someone would want a -6 to, say, a -2...   Thank you!!!Last edited by DubJ; 07-13-2007 at 06:06 PM.***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:-2 is cheaper.  I only use -6.  -2 probably won't run with Co2.  Most you will find is -6.  When done properly, they all have 70 K psi + in strength.I just go with the -6.David  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:S6 will weld MUCH better over dirty metal.  I can literally weld over light rust with S6 without any issues compared to S3 wire.Millermatic Passport PlusMillermatic 200Millermatic 350P with PythonXMT 304 /w S-64 feeder and 12RCDynasty 300 DXVictor O/APremier Power Welder for my trail junk.
Reply:So is the decision of wire just dependent on how clean the surface is?  Or is there more to it, such as David said, where it comes into play depending on what your setup is? For example, gas?  Thank you!!!***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:I believe the 7 (1st numeric) is the ksi designator, the 0 or 1 (2nd numeric) is the weld position designator, the S or T or C is the wire type designator. So and E70s-xxx would be a 70 ksi wire, flat and horizontal solid wire. The additional alpha/numeric characters following the - (dash) are wire and/or weld composition designators. These alpha/numeric designators are generally 1 through 14 or possibly a G and/or a G with an S. There may be additional designations following the 1 to 14, usually alpha. That's the one minute class  . Check it out for accuracy before attempting to use this info to teach a class tho.
Reply:I should add that as far as the identifying numeric/alpha designations beyond the - (dash) one should really refer to the AWS specification or to the manufacturers specifications for that particular wire type. There will be no easy and simple linear correlation between the numbers of 1 through 14, for instance.... Altho an E70S-1 of all brands should fall within the same AWS specification, there is nothing there that means a S-2 is better than an S-3 or S-6 and the like. Each number merely has its own characteristics with no better/worse, connotations attached.
Reply:The link attached is to a Praxair book. Lota of good GMAW info. For this particular post refer to page 22.Hope this helps.http://www.prest-o-sales.com/other_l...on%20Steel.pdfMartin MC Weld TechAWS-CWIAWS-CWEwww.linkedin.com/pub/martin-cramer/20/b36/940/
Reply:Thank you SO SO much for the information!  I really appreciate the link that you gave me, mwccwi.  I've had started reading from the beginning because I think it's valuable information that everyone could benefit from!  Thank you!!!-Matt***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:you're welcome, Matt. That's why we are here to learn and to help others learn, have you every heard -TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves more Martin MC Weld TechAWS-CWIAWS-CWEwww.linkedin.com/pub/martin-cramer/20/b36/940/
Reply:Originally Posted by mwccwiyou're welcome, Matt. That's why we are here to learn and to help others learn, have you every heard -TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves more
Reply:From what Ive been taught      eg.group 1 ES2 =2% carbon  0.9-1.40 magnesium 0.40-0.70 silicon 0.25%phosphurus, 0.035% sulphur  The chemical comosition.group 2 : type of sheilding gas eg. G =gas sheilding, which is then followed by either c=carbon dioxide,M=mixture of gases, i= inert gas. Group 3 : W= weld metal , then, two digits/ 1/10 of the tensile strength of deposited weld, mesured in megapascles, then a third digit= minimum impact value, mesured in joules.  eg. w503H = weld metal (w) 50 = 1/10 of the approximate tensile strength in MPa (500 MPa), 3=impact value, H= hydrogen controlled.Hope this helps a bit.
Reply:I was reading last night, the ER70S-2 has a "thicker" or less fluid puddle which is supposed to be easier for out of position welding.  -6 has a more fluid puddle.  Just passing along info.  I still stick with -6 for what I do.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Awesome!  Great information guys!  I truely appreciate it!!  have a wonderful day/evening.  ***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:S-2 has more dioxidizers than s3 or s6.  It is for doing root welding on pipe, it takes care of back side porisity, when there is no backing gas.
Reply:I was going to buy some S-2 on line from weldingdepot.com, but it was almost twice the S-6.  I still want to try it.-S6 has the most deoxidezers"ER70S-6 Classification.Have the highest combination of manganese and silicon"  P6.6-3  Lincoln procedure handbook of arcwelding.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:David, S-2 wire is called Triple Deoxidized because in additional all else it has Ti - ZR - Al Additions.  Titanium,Zirconium and Aluminum  -- found in AWS A5.18-93.  More on this if needed.  John
Reply:I'll look some more.  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Looks like we are both rightReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.