Lincoln Electric UltraCore® 71A75 Dual is a gas-shielded, flux-cored arc welding (FCAW-G) wire classified per AWS A5.20: E71T-1C-H8, E71T-1M-H8, E71T-9C-H8, E71T-9M-H8. The "Dual" designation confirms this wire is fully classified for use with both 100 % CO₂ and 75 % Argon / 25 % CO₂ shielding gases — giving fabricators the flexibility to switch gas supply without requiring a different consumable. UltraCore 71A75 Dual delivers a stable arc, low spatter, fast-freezing slag for out-of-position welding, and premium bead appearance that meets the demands of structural, manufacturing, and code-compliant fabrication. The H8 diffusible hydrogen designation and E71T-9 toughness properties qualify it for AWS D1.8 seismic applications. Lincoln's ProTech™ foil-bag packaging maintains moisture protection during shipping and storage.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classifications | E71T-1C-H8, E71T-1M-H8, E71T-9C-H8, E71T-9M-H8 (AWS A5.20) |
| Applicable Standard | AWS A5.20/A5.20M: 2005 |
| This SKU | 0.045 in (1.1 mm), 4 × 15 lb plastic spools (60 lb total) |
| Shielding Gas | 75% Ar / 25% CO₂ or 100% CO₂ (dual-classified) |
| Polarity | DCEP (DC electrode positive) |
| Welding Positions | All positions (E71T-1 all-position classification) |
| Tensile Strength (as-welded, 75/25) | 89–95 ksi (614–655 MPa) |
| Yield Strength (as-welded, 75/25) | 82–88 ksi (565–607 MPa) |
| Elongation (as-welded) | 24–26 % in 2 in |
| Charpy V-Notch Impact | 62–111 J (46–82 ft-lbf) at −18 °C (0 °F) |
| Diffusible Hydrogen | ≤ 8.0 mL/100 g (H8) |
| Packaging | ProTech™ foil-bag moisture protection system |
UltraCore 71A75 Dual's combination of all-position capability, dual gas classification, and AWS D1.8 seismic compliance addresses a wide range of structural and general fabrication demands:
- Structural steel fabrication — moment connections, column splices, shear tabs, and plate girder welds per AWS D1.1 and D1.8 seismic supplement
- General manufacturing — beam subassembly, bracket fabrication, and equipment frames where dual-gas flexibility reduces consumable inventory
- Multi-position fieldwork — overhead and vertical-up welds on structural steel erection where all-position FCAW-G outperforms SMAW in productivity
- Pressure vessel and process equipment — groove welds on A516-70 and A572-50 plates where controlled hydrogen and toughness are required
- Shipbuilding and offshore — stiffener welds, bracket fillets, and patch plates on mild steel hull structure
The "71A75" in the product name designates optimal performance characteristics: "71" references the E71T all-position, 70 ksi minimum tensile class; "A75" indicates Argon-75 mixed-gas performance. The dual classification means this wire produces compliant mechanical properties whether run with 100 % CO₂ (C-classification) or 75 Ar / 25 CO₂ (M-classification). When switching gases, increase voltage by approximately 1 V when using straight CO₂ compared to the mixed gas setting.
Per Lincoln Electric UltraCore 71A75 Dual product data, operating parameters for 0.045 in wire range from 135–205 amps in all-position work up to 225–285 amps for flat and horizontal passes. The fast-freezing slag characteristic enables confident vertical-up and overhead welding without excessive manipulation, while the smooth bead appearance reduces post-weld grinding on visible surfaces.
| Diameter | Polarity | Gas | Position | Voltage (V) | Current (A, approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | DCEP | 75/25 Ar/CO₂ | All-position | 22–26 | 135–205 |
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | DCEP | 75/25 Ar/CO₂ | Flat/Horizontal | 26–30 | 225–285 |
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | DCEP | 100% CO₂ | All-position | 23–27 | 140–210 |
"Dual" means the wire is fully AWS-classified for two different shielding gases: both 100 % CO₂ (C-classification: E71T-1C-H8, E71T-9C-H8) and 75 % Argon / 25 % CO₂ (M-classification: E71T-1M-H8, E71T-9M-H8). A single spool satisfies both gas environments without any change in consumable. This gives fabricators flexibility when different gas supplies are available across a facility or job site.
The "1" in E71T-1 designates an all-position wire. UltraCore 71A75 Dual can be used flat, horizontal, vertical-up (3G/3F), and overhead (4G/4F). For vertical-up and overhead welding, use the lower end of the amperage range and allow the fast-freezing slag to support the weld pool against gravity.
Yes — the H8 diffusible hydrogen designation and E71T-9 Charpy V-Notch impact properties (62–111 J at −18 °C) satisfy the hydrogen control and toughness requirements of AWS D1.8 Structural Welding Code — Seismic Supplement. Fabricators using UltraCore 71A75 Dual for seismic moment frame connections should reference current AWS D1.8 requirements and consult their welding engineer for project-specific compliance confirmation.
ProTech™ is Lincoln Electric's foil-bag packaging system that hermetically seals the wire spool against atmospheric moisture during shipping and storage. Moisture absorbed by flux-cored wire can increase diffusible hydrogen levels, potentially causing hydrogen-assisted cracking in high-strength or restrained joints. The ProTech bag maintains the H8 hydrogen level achieved in production until the spool is opened. Once opened, the wire should be used within the recommended time frame and re-sealed or stored in a low-humidity environment.
Both wires are all-position, dual-gas FCAW-G wires with H8 hydrogen control and E71T-9 seismic compliance. The primary difference is packaging format and production focus: UltraCore 71A75 Dual (this product) comes in a multi-pack format (4 × 15 lb) ideal for job-site distribution, while Outershield 71 Elite is available in 15 lb, 33 lb, and 60 lb spools plus 600 lb drums for production shop use. Mechanically, both meet E71T-9 H8 requirements — arc character is similar between the two.
Browse the full welding wire collection, or compare to Outershield 71 Elite for larger spools and drum packaging, or Innershield NR-311 for self-shielded outdoor applications.