Lincoln Electric Lincore® 50 is a self-shielded, open-arc flux-cored hardfacing wire classified per EN 14700: T Fe8. It produces an abrasion and impact-resistant deposit with a hardness range of 34–56 HRC depending on base metal chemistry, material dilution, and number of applied layers. Starting around 34–41 HRC on the first pass and building to 48–56 HRC by the third and fourth layers, Lincore 50 develops a martensitic high-alloy austenite-carbide microstructure in the as-welded condition. The self-shielded design eliminates gas cylinder requirements, making Lincore 50 practical for field repair and maintenance welding as well as shop hardfacing operations. It is compatible with a broad range of base metals including carbon, alloy, manganese, and stainless steels.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Classification | EN 14700: T Fe8 |
| Available Diameters | 0.045 in (1.1 mm), 5/64 in (2.0 mm) |
| Shielding Gas | None — self-shielded open-arc (FCAW-S) |
| Polarity | DCEP (DC electrode positive) |
| Welding Position | Flat (PA / 1G) |
| Hardness Layer 1 | 34–41 HRC (320–380 HB) |
| Hardness Layer 2 | 44–53 HRC (415–530 HB) |
| Hardness Layer 3+ | 48–56 HRC (460–584 HB) |
| Layer Limitation | Maximum 4 layers |
| Base Metal Compatibility | Low-carbon, medium-carbon, low-alloy, manganese, and stainless steels |
| Microstructure | Primary austenite with austenite-carbide eutectic |
Lincore 50 is a versatile hardfacing consumable that addresses wear modes combining both abrasion and moderate impact — the most common combination encountered in heavy industries:
- Aggregate and mining equipment — bucket lips, cutting edges, chute liners, and grizzly bars subject to rock and ore abrasion with intermittent impacts
- Construction equipment rebuild — dozer blades, grader blades, ripper shanks, and moldboards worn by soil and rock contact
- Agricultural equipment — plow shares, cultivator tines, and auger flights worn by soil and root abrasion
- Cement and lime plant equipment — fan blades, classifier blades, and screw conveyor flights handling abrasive powders
- Dimensional restoration — rebuilding shafts, journals, and structural members to serviceable dimensions before applying a harder overlay
Lincore 50's Fe8 classification per EN 14700 designates a high-alloy martensitic-carbide system optimized for combined abrasion and impact resistance. The deposit microstructure consists of primary austenite with an austenite-carbide eutectic that, upon cooling, transforms to martensite with retained austenite in a carbide matrix. This structure balances the hardness needed for abrasion resistance with the toughness needed to survive impact — unlike pure chromium-carbide wires that would crack or spall under impact loading.
Lincore 50 is limited to a maximum of 4 layers. The first layer picks up significant dilution from the base metal (hence lower hardness); subsequent layers develop higher hardness as dilution decreases. Prior to application, all work-hardened base material and previously deposited hardfacing should be removed to expose clean, undiluted substrate. A preheat of 200 °C is generally sufficient for carbon and low-alloy steel substrates, with interpass temperature control to prevent stress cracking in the hard deposit. Do not use Lincore 50 where impact loads are severe enough to require an austenitic manganese buffer layer — in that case, apply Lincore M as an underlayer first.
| Diameter | Polarity | Gas | WFS (in/min) | Voltage (V) | Current (A) | Max Layers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | DCEP | None (self-shielded) | 50–140 | 24–30 | 250–450 | 4 |
| 5/64 in (2.0 mm) | DCEP | None (self-shielded) | 40–80 | 26–32 | 375–600 | 4 |
Lincore 50's deposit hardness depends on the layer number and base metal dilution. Layer 1: 34–41 HRC (320–380 HB); Layer 2: 44–53 HRC (415–530 HB); Layer 3+: 48–56 HRC (460–584 HB). Maximum hardness is reached by the third or fourth layer when dilution from the base metal is minimized. The maximum application is 4 layers.
No. Lincore 50 is a self-shielded FCAW-S wire. The flux core provides its own shielding atmosphere — no gas cylinder, regulator, or hose connections are required. This makes it well suited for field maintenance, remote locations, and shop applications where gas shielding infrastructure is unavailable or inconvenient.
Hardfacing overlays build up internal shrinkage stresses with each additional layer. At 4+ layers of a high-hardness Fe8 deposit, these stresses can cause cracking or spalling of the overlay in service. Lincoln Electric specifies a maximum of 4 layers for Lincore 50 to ensure the overlay remains structurally sound. If greater thickness is required, a softer build-up wire (such as Lincore BU or Lincore M) should be applied first to raise the surface to near-final dimension before the hardfacing overlay.
Lincore 50 is compatible with low-carbon, medium-carbon, low-alloy, manganese, and stainless steel base metals. Preheat of approximately 200 °C is typically sufficient for carbon and low-alloy steels. For manganese steel substrates, interpass temperature should be limited to 260 °C. For stainless steel substrates, preheat is generally not required.
Lincore 50 handles moderate impact combined with abrasion — it is not optimized for severe percussion impact such as crusher jaws or railroad crossing frogs. For those severe impact applications, use Lincore M (austenitic manganese, work-hardens to 30–48 HRC). Lincore 50 is the right choice when abrasion resistance with the ability to absorb moderate shocks is required — for example, bucket lips, dozer blades, and chute liners.
Browse the full welding wire collection, or compare hardfacing options: Lincore M for severe impact (austenitic manganese), Lincore 55-G for metal-to-metal wear (gas-shielded, 50–57 HRC).