Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
FLUX CORE WELDING FOR IRONWORKING | STRUCTURAL FIELD
WELDING EXAM – FCAW-S / FCAW-G | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | Latest Version
FLUX CORE WELDING FOR IRONWORKING
Structural Field Welding Examination – FCAW-S / FCAW-G
1. What does the abbreviation FCAW-S stand for in structural
ironwork?
A. Flux cored arc welding, steel-backed
B. Flux cored arc welding, self-shielded
C. Flux coated arc welding, submerged
D. Fused core arc welding, standard
B. Flux cored arc welding, self-shielded
FCAW-S is the self-shielded variant; all of its shielding comes from
compounds inside the tubular wire, so no cylinder gas is used.
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, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
2. Why is self-shielded flux core the dominant process for field erection
of structural steel?
A. It produces no slag that must be removed
B. It needs no external shielding gas, so it tolerates wind on open decks
and columns
C. It requires no preheat on any steel thickness
D. It runs only on alternating current, which is safer at height
B. It needs no external shielding gas, so it tolerates wind on open
decks and columns
Exposed erection work sees constant breeze that would blow away
cylinder gas; the self-shielded wire generates its own protection at the
arc.
3. In the AWS classification E71T-8, what does the digit 7 indicate?
A. Seven percent nickel in the core
B. Welding position limited to flat and horizontal
C. Diameter of 0.070 inch
D. Minimum tensile strength of 70 ksi in the deposited weld metal
D. Minimum tensile strength of 70 ksi in the deposited weld metal
The second character multiplied by 10 ksi gives the minimum tensile
strength of the weld deposit.
4. In E71T-8, what does the digit 1 indicate?
A. The deposit requires one pass only
B. The wire contains 1% manganese
C. The wire is usable in all positions
D. The wire is for flat and horizontal only
C. The wire is usable in all positions
A 1 in the third position means all-position capability; a 0 means flat and
horizontal fillets only.
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, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
5. What does the letter T signify in an FCAW electrode classification
such as E70T-6?
A. Toughness tested electrode
B. Tungsten-bearing electrode
C. Tubular (flux cored) electrode
D. Tensile rated electrode
C. Tubular (flux cored) electrode
The T identifies a tubular, flux-cored wire as opposed to a solid wire or
covered stick electrode.
6. Which polarity is normally used with E71T-8 and E71T-11 self-
shielded wires?
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
C. AC balanced
D. AC with high-frequency start
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
Most self-shielded wires are designed for electrode negative, which places
more heat into the wire and stabilizes the self-shielding reaction.
7. Which polarity is generally specified for gas-shielded E71T-1 wire?
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
C. AC
D. Either, with no change in results
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
Gas-shielded flux core runs on electrode positive for a stable spray-like
transfer and good penetration.
Page 3 of 63
, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
8. What is the main role of the flux inside a tubular electrode?
A. Shield the molten pool, deoxidize, and form slag that protects the
cooling weld
B. Increase the electrical resistance of the wire
C. Lubricate the drive rolls
D. Cool the contact tip
A. Shield the molten pool, deoxidize, and form slag that protects the
cooling weld
Core ingredients generate shielding, scavenge oxygen and nitrogen, add
alloy, and leave a slag blanket over the bead.
9. What is electrical stickout (ESO) in flux core welding?
A. The length of wire left on the spool
B. The gap between the nozzle and the workpiece only
C. The length of the ground cable
D. The distance from the contact tip to the arc end of the electrode
D. The distance from the contact tip to the arc end of the electrode
Stickout is the wire length beyond the contact tip that carries current; it
directly affects preheating of the wire and amperage.
10. What happens to welding current when electrical stickout is
increased on a constant-voltage machine?
A. Current increases
B. Current stays exactly the same
C. Current decreases
D. Voltage drops to zero
C. Current decreases
Longer stickout adds resistance, so the CV power source delivers less
amperage at the same wire feed speed.
Page 4 of 63
FLUX CORE WELDING FOR IRONWORKING | STRUCTURAL FIELD
WELDING EXAM – FCAW-S / FCAW-G | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | Latest Version
FLUX CORE WELDING FOR IRONWORKING
Structural Field Welding Examination – FCAW-S / FCAW-G
1. What does the abbreviation FCAW-S stand for in structural
ironwork?
A. Flux cored arc welding, steel-backed
B. Flux cored arc welding, self-shielded
C. Flux coated arc welding, submerged
D. Fused core arc welding, standard
B. Flux cored arc welding, self-shielded
FCAW-S is the self-shielded variant; all of its shielding comes from
compounds inside the tubular wire, so no cylinder gas is used.
Page 1 of 63
, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
2. Why is self-shielded flux core the dominant process for field erection
of structural steel?
A. It produces no slag that must be removed
B. It needs no external shielding gas, so it tolerates wind on open decks
and columns
C. It requires no preheat on any steel thickness
D. It runs only on alternating current, which is safer at height
B. It needs no external shielding gas, so it tolerates wind on open
decks and columns
Exposed erection work sees constant breeze that would blow away
cylinder gas; the self-shielded wire generates its own protection at the
arc.
3. In the AWS classification E71T-8, what does the digit 7 indicate?
A. Seven percent nickel in the core
B. Welding position limited to flat and horizontal
C. Diameter of 0.070 inch
D. Minimum tensile strength of 70 ksi in the deposited weld metal
D. Minimum tensile strength of 70 ksi in the deposited weld metal
The second character multiplied by 10 ksi gives the minimum tensile
strength of the weld deposit.
4. In E71T-8, what does the digit 1 indicate?
A. The deposit requires one pass only
B. The wire contains 1% manganese
C. The wire is usable in all positions
D. The wire is for flat and horizontal only
C. The wire is usable in all positions
A 1 in the third position means all-position capability; a 0 means flat and
horizontal fillets only.
Page 2 of 63
, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
5. What does the letter T signify in an FCAW electrode classification
such as E70T-6?
A. Toughness tested electrode
B. Tungsten-bearing electrode
C. Tubular (flux cored) electrode
D. Tensile rated electrode
C. Tubular (flux cored) electrode
The T identifies a tubular, flux-cored wire as opposed to a solid wire or
covered stick electrode.
6. Which polarity is normally used with E71T-8 and E71T-11 self-
shielded wires?
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
C. AC balanced
D. AC with high-frequency start
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
Most self-shielded wires are designed for electrode negative, which places
more heat into the wire and stabilizes the self-shielding reaction.
7. Which polarity is generally specified for gas-shielded E71T-1 wire?
A. DCEN (straight polarity)
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
C. AC
D. Either, with no change in results
B. DCEP (reverse polarity)
Gas-shielded flux core runs on electrode positive for a stable spray-like
transfer and good penetration.
Page 3 of 63
, Flux Core Welding for Ironworking
8. What is the main role of the flux inside a tubular electrode?
A. Shield the molten pool, deoxidize, and form slag that protects the
cooling weld
B. Increase the electrical resistance of the wire
C. Lubricate the drive rolls
D. Cool the contact tip
A. Shield the molten pool, deoxidize, and form slag that protects the
cooling weld
Core ingredients generate shielding, scavenge oxygen and nitrogen, add
alloy, and leave a slag blanket over the bead.
9. What is electrical stickout (ESO) in flux core welding?
A. The length of wire left on the spool
B. The gap between the nozzle and the workpiece only
C. The length of the ground cable
D. The distance from the contact tip to the arc end of the electrode
D. The distance from the contact tip to the arc end of the electrode
Stickout is the wire length beyond the contact tip that carries current; it
directly affects preheating of the wire and amperage.
10. What happens to welding current when electrical stickout is
increased on a constant-voltage machine?
A. Current increases
B. Current stays exactly the same
C. Current decreases
D. Voltage drops to zero
C. Current decreases
Longer stickout adds resistance, so the CV power source delivers less
amperage at the same wire feed speed.
Page 4 of 63
