Neutral flux

From GAWDAwiki

Neutral flux, in submerged arc welding, is a flux formulated to produce a weld metal composition that is not dependent on the welding parameters. See also active flux and alloy flux.^[1]

A neutral flux does not cause a significant change in weld chemistry as a result of changes to arc voltage or of the amount of flux consumed during welding. As with any flux, a neutral flux does affect the weld deposit chemistry. The levels of alloying elements added to the weld are generally consistent across even significant changes in voltage. Therefore, the deposit chemistry will not match the wire chemistry. Neutral fluxes can be used in multiple pass applications of unlimited plate thickness without the concern for alloy buildup, as with active fluxes. Neutral fluxes are generally not designed to handle rust and mill scale tolerance, and therefore should be used on clean plate.^[2]

References

1. "Neutral Flux." Standard Welding Terms and Definitions. A3.0:2001 ed. Miami: American Welding Society, 2001.
2. http://www.esabna.com/us/en/products/Neutral-Fluxes.cfm