A572 Gr.50 Preheat for FCAW — 3/4" to 1-1/2"

FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding)

FCAW uses tubular flux-cored wire, available gas-shielded (E71T-1) or self-shielded (E71T-8) for field work. Category B in Table 5.11.

E71T-1 gas-shielded wire is the workhorse for structural steel erection fillet welds. Self-shielded E71T-8 is preferred for field welding where wind makes gas shielding unreliable. Deposition rates run 8-12 lb/hr depending on wire diameter and position. The flux core provides a protective slag that supports the puddle in vertical-up and overhead positions.

A572 Gr.50

ASTM A572 Grade 50 (50 ksi minimum yield, 65 ksi minimum tensile) is the dominant high-strength low-alloy structural steel in building construction. Most W-shapes rolled today are dual-certified A572/A992, with actual yield typically 50-58 ksi. It falls under Category B only in Table 5.11 — non-low-hydrogen SMAW is not prequalified for this grade. Chemistry limits include 0.23% max carbon (shapes) and columbium (niobium) or vanadium microalloying for grain refinement, producing a typical CE-IIW of 0.40-0.45. A572 Gr.50 plate is available in thicknesses up to 6" and is the default grade for connection plates, gussets, and base plates in building construction when loads exceed A36 capacity. The Gr.42, 55, 60, and 65 grades exist but Gr.50 accounts for over 90% of A572 production.

Why This Preheat for A572 Gr.50 with FCAW

Dominant 50 ksi HSLA structural steel often dual-certified with A992. This steel is prequalified only with low-hydrogen processes under Table 5.11, which is why it appears in Category B but not Category A. The 50°F minimum preheat with FCAW balances the steel's strength level and carbon equivalent against the controlled hydrogen input from the consumable. Non-low-hydrogen SMAW is not an option for this grade under D1.1 prequalified WPS.

Typical Applications for A572 Gr.50

Dominates building construction for W-shape column splices, beam-to-column moment connections, braced frame gusset plates, base plates over 36 ksi demand, crane runway girder webs, and mezzanine floor beams. A572 Gr.50 plate is the standard for connection elements in seismic designs per AISC 341. Complete joint penetration groove welds at beam flanges are the most critical weld detail in moment frames. The most common connection plate thicknesses are 3/4" and 1" for moment end plates and 1/2" to 5/8" for shear tabs. Demand-critical welds in seismic applications require notch-tough filler metals meeting AISC 341 Section A3.4b supplemental requirements with CVN testing at -20°F. Column splice CJP welds at every 2-3 story intervals are typically 2G or 3G field welds requiring portable preheat equipment. Base plate welds to foundation embed plates carry the full column load and require strict preheat compliance on thicker plates.

Why Preheat Matters at 3/4" to 1-1/2"

Preheat climbs at this range as thicker material slows heat dissipation, trapping hydrogen at crack-susceptible grain boundaries.

Other Steels with FCAW at 3/4" to 1-1/2"

A572 Gr.50 with FCAW

Try Different Combinations

Use the interactive preheat calculator to look up any steel, process, and thickness combination from D1.1:2025 Table 5.11.

A572 Gr.50 Welding Guides