Terminology: SLAG

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Ok, this is probably going to be a dumb question...When Flux-Core welding, i've heard you want a good coat of SLAG on the weld once complete... What i know of as slag is a black char on top of the weld that brushes off. Another use of the word SLAG was the molten drop that comes off when welding... Which one is it? or is it both?another one is i've seen pictures of Flux Core wire welding where there is a brown coating instead of a black coating... is that what is supposed to happen or is that just a different wire?I am a new guy, please don't be to harsh.Welding Equipment so far:First Welder: Blue Hawk Flux-MIG 100 (no tanks, so only Flux for me right now)Second Welder: Miller MillerMatic 211 Auto-Set with MVP
Reply:Color doesn't really play into it.  Flux turns to slag when burned. Could be flux cored wire, flux covered wire (stick welding), or loose flux in the case of sub-arc.My name's not Jim....
Reply:The word "Slag" is also thrown around when cutting with a torch or plasma or carbon gouging, in this sense of the word it refers to the molten material being blown away by the cutting tool ,or the aerated pools of dirty metal left on the steel after the cut( if cut properly you should have almost no "slag balls" on the cut piece of metal).Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:I believe (without looking it up) that "dross" is the correct term for the "aerated pools of dirty metal left on the steel after the cut".My name's not Jim....
Reply:Your probably right! Normally I just call them AGRIVATING!!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Scraping off the slag ..."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:The theory behind FLUX is to create an "Air-Less" environment for the molten metals to Fuse in to create a strong bond, hence maybe why you understand/read/told to have a nice even coating of "Used Flux" on a weld!
Reply:Sometimes you don't get an even layer of slag left behind. It happens. Sometimes there's porosity in the slag... It's not good, but it happens. It doesn't mean there's porosity in the weld. Different wires/rods leave different amounts of flux. Some flux is a little more fluid than others, all depends on what you're using. Long story short, if you're not getting porosity in the weld then don't concern yourself with it.
Reply:Boostinjdm, you are correct. Having recently started on a cnc plasma/oxy table,  I'm learning a lot of "new" things.  Dross being one of them.  Lol.
Reply:Awhile back I saw a comment about slag with relation to making steel.  They said that if the chemistry of the slag coming off was just right, you didn't have to worry about the chemistry of the steel. All the bad stuff went out in the slag and what was left was just fine."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I know some people call it "slag" or "dross" but I normally call it a freaking mess I gotta clean up, This coming from someone who has done is fair share of ugly welds with FCAW and SMAW then has used a torch or plasma and made some wacky cuts. Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools