New from ESAB is ICE
(Integrated Cold Electrode)
technology for boosting
productivity in SAW (Submerged Arc
Welding). The company says that by
exploiting the excess heat generated
during the welding process a nonpowered
welding wire can be melted,
thereby raising the deposition rate by
up to 50% without any additional
energy input being necessary.

The ICE technology enables
tandem welding to be used for root
passes, providing excellent
penetration with high productivity in
a process ESAB refers to as the High
Deposition Root method. In some
cases, it says root welding productivity
can be increased by up to 100%.

Not only does ICE technology
enable many joints to be welded with
fewer runs, but it can also cut flux
consumption by up to 20%. When
productivity is increased with no
additional energy input, energy
consumption per joint is also lower.

The use of a cold welding wire also
enables the welding process to be
fine-tuned when making cap runs. As
its name suggests, this Flat Cap
Control feature produces a flatter
weld cap, thereby improving fatigue
resistance and reducing the amount of
post-weld finishing required.