69102012V - Vanguard ER70S-6 .045 Solid MIG Wire 20kg Spool

Technical Overview of Vanguard ER70S-6 .045 MIG Wire

The Vanguard ER70S-6 .045 Solid MIG Wire is a premium mild steel welding consumable designed for general fabrication and structural applications. Formulated with higher levels of manganese and silicon compared to standard ER70S-3 wires, this S6 classification wire offers superior deoxidizing capabilities. This chemical composition allows it to handle base metals with light to moderate mill scale, rust, or oil, making it a versatile choice for industrial environments where surface preparation cannot always be perfect. The 0.045-inch (1.2mm) diameter is optimal for welding medium-to-heavy gauge sections, providing high deposition rates and deep penetration.

One of the critical technical advantages of this Vanguard wire is its precision layer winding. Unlike random-wound spools which can suffer from tangles and erratic feeding, precision winding ensures that the wire pays off the spool smoothly and consistently. This is essential for automated systems or long manual welds where feed interruptions can cause defects. The copper coating on the wire surface further enhances feedability by reducing friction within the liner and contact tip, while also improving electrical conductivity for a stable arc transfer.

Mechanically, the deposited weld metal exhibits excellent toughness and tensile strength, meeting or exceeding AWS A5.18 standards. The high silicon content promotes a fluid weld pool, resulting in excellent wetting action at the toes of the weld. This fluidity helps create a flat bead profile that blends smoothly with the base metal, reducing stress concentrations and the need for excessive grinding. The wire is designed to operate with DCEP polarity and performs exceptionally well with both 100% CO2 and Argon/CO2 shielding gas mixtures.

Specifications and Performance

This 20kg (approximately 44lb) spool is designed for industrial wire feeders capable of handling standard 12-inch diameter spools. The wire's chemistry is balanced to minimize spatter, particularly when used with mixed gases, which contributes to higher deposition efficiency and lower post-weld cleaning costs. It is suitable for single-pass and multi-pass welding in all positions, although the 0.045" diameter is most commonly used in the flat and horizontal positions for spray transfer or globular transfer modes.