FCAW, SAW, GTAW or GMAW: matching the welding process to the job
A qualified welder with the wrong process can still deliver a poor result. At Silverfox we run four arc welding processes in the shop and in the field, and each is chosen for a reason that shows up later in cost, schedule and inspection results.
FCAW – Flux-Cored Arc Welding
Our workhorse for structural steel and heavy plate. High deposition rates, good penetration and tolerance to mill scale make it ideal for beams, columns, pipe racks and skid frames built to AWS D1.1. Gas-shielded wires give clean, ductile welds; self-shielded wires keep field crews productive in wind.
SAW – Submerged Arc Welding
When we need long, straight, high-quality seams, such as pressure vessel longitudinal and circumferential joints, SAW delivers the highest deposition rate with minimal spatter and excellent radiographic quality. It runs on our roll-out tables and manipulators for ASME Section VIII vessels and large-diameter pipe.
GTAW – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Root passes on B31.3 process piping, stainless and alloy work, and anything where the inside of the pipe must be defect-free. GTAW is slower, but for high-purity or high-pressure service the control it offers over the root is not negotiable.
GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding
Fast, clean and easy to automate on thin to medium sections: enclosures, brackets, light structures and shop fit-up work. Pulsed GMAW lets us weld stainless and aluminum with low heat input and minimal distortion.
How the decision gets made
- Material, thickness and position of the joint.
- Governing code and the NDE that will follow (RT, UT, PT).
- Shop versus field conditions.
- Productivity: deposition rate against rework risk.
Every combination is backed by a qualified WPS and PQR under ASME Section IX or AWS D1.1, and every weld is traceable to its procedure and welder. Explore our welding procedures or send us your weld map for a quick review.
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