TROY, Ohio. November 11, 2009-Hobart Brothers introduced a new patent-pending family of flux-cored welding wires designed to provide superior low temperature impacts and improve productivity on chrome-moly welding applications. The new Hobart ^® FabCO^® XTREME B2, XTREME B3 and XTREME 120 wires are the first flux-cored wires of their kind to provide the type of mechanical properties previously attainable only by using slower stick or submerged arc welding processes.

Unlike other welding products with T-5 slag systems, the XTREME wires are designed to operate on DCEN (direct current electrode negative) and offer all-position welding capabilities. In fact, laboratory testing has shown the 3/32-inch diameter B2 wires are cable of welding in the vertical-up position-a feature that is unique to this XTREME product.

The FabCO XTREME B2 and B3 wires are both designed for high temperature service applications requiring high tensile strengths and creep resistance, such as welding boiler and pressure vessel piping, fittings and high temperature valves. The XTREME B2 is designed for use with 1 ¼ Chrome – ½ Moly steels (P11 piping, for example) and can replace E8018-B2 stick electrodes to increase productivity, while the XTREME B3 deposits a weld chemistry needed for 2 ¼ Chrome – 1 Moly steels (P21 and P22 piping) and is speed-enhancing alternative to E8018-B3 electrodes. Both products create low spatter levels and provide an easy-to-remove slag to help minimize post-weld clean up. They also create low hydrogen weld deposits (less than 6 ml per 100 g of weldment) to minimize the chance of weld cracking.

The FabCO XTREME 120 is the only flux-cored wire in the industry to meet DNV Y69MS (H5) for welding on offshore jackup rigs where high strength, excellent impact properties and defect-free welds are critical. It also meets ABS to AWS E121TG-GC H4. The wire’s composition is balanced to produce welds in the 120 to 130 ksi tensile strength range, yield strengths over 105 ksi and Charpy impact properties of 51 ft-lbs at -76 degrees F, even when subject to a wide range of heat inputs and cooling rates. Like the B2 and B3 versions, the XTREME 120 wires provide all-position welding capabilities, plus it welds similar to filler metals with T-1 slag systems, making it easier to use. The wire offers a low hydrogen weld deposit of less than 4 ml per 100g of weldment to defend against cracking, reducing the need for costly rework and helping companies maintain a high level of productivity.

Other applications that can benefit from XTREME 120 wires are high strength crane booms and sub-assemblies, and applications using A514 grade, N25HN, WeldTen 710 or 780, ABS EQ63 or 70, Dillimax 690 or HY100 steels.

Hobart Brothers offers the FabCO XTREME wires in diameters ranging from .045- to 1/16-inch diameters and on 33-lb. vacuum-packed spools. Diameters and packaging are each product specific. Contact Hobart Brothers for additional information.

Hobart Brothers is dedicated to the highest level of Performance Welding™. For product specification sheets or to learn more about Hobart Brothers products, visit hobartbrothers.com, email [email protected], call 1-800-424-1543, fax 1-800-541-6607, or write Hobart Brothers Company, 101 Trade Square East, Troy, OH 45373.

Hobart Brothers Company of Troy, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of welding filler metals marketed under the brand names Hobart, Tri-Mark, McKay and Corex. Hobart Brothers Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. based in Glenview, Ill. ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short-lead-time industrial products and equipment.