S288112-053 - Hobart Fabco 81K2-C .045 Flux-Cored Wire, 33lb Vacuum Spool

Hobart Fabco 81K2-C Technical Overview

The Hobart Fabco 81K2-C is a premium gas-shielded flux-cored wire designed to meet the rigorous demands of heavy industrial fabrication. Classified under AWS A5.29 as E81T1-K2C and E81T1-K2C-H8, this consumable is engineered specifically for use with 100% CO2 shielding gas. This formulation allows for deep penetration profiles and cost-effective operation without sacrificing mechanical performance. The wire features a nominal 1.5% nickel alloy composition, which is critical for maintaining high impact toughness at sub-zero temperatures, typically meeting Charpy V-Notch requirements at -40°F (-40°C). This makes it an ideal choice for industries where structural integrity in cold environments is paramount, such as offshore drilling platform construction and shipbuilding.

One of the defining technical characteristics of the Fabco 81K2-C is its fast-freezing slag system. This rheology supports all-position welding capabilities, including vertical-up and overhead, allowing operators to deposit high-quality welds on complex geometries without excessive manipulation. The wire is manufactured to produce low diffusible hydrogen levels (H8 designation), significantly mitigating the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking (cold cracking) in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels. The "Vpsp" in the product name indicates that this 33-pound spool is vacuum-packed, a crucial feature for maintaining the low-hydrogen status of the consumable during storage and transport by preventing moisture absorption from the atmosphere.

Mechanically, the wire delivers a typical tensile strength in the range of 90,000 psi and a yield strength of approximately 78,000 psi, exceeding the minimum requirements for the E81T1 classification. It is suitable for single and multiple pass applications on mild and low alloy steels. The slag system is designed to be easily removable, reducing post-weld cleaning time and improving the overall duty cycle of the welding operation. By utilizing 100% CO2, fabricators can achieve a broad, deep penetration profile that ensures root fusion in heavy plate applications.