UltraCore® 81Ni1C-H Plus is Lincoln Electric's low-alloy, all-position gas-shielded flux-cored (FCAW-G) wire classified AWS A5.29 E81T1-Ni1C-JH4 and, under the combined specification, AWS A5.36 E81T1-C1A6-Ni1-H4 and E81T1-C1P4-Ni1-H4. Lincoln describes it as an innovative design capable of superior toughness at −60 °F (−51 °C) in both the as-welded and stress-relieved condition, meeting AWS strength and toughness requirements in both states while holding an H4 diffusible hydrogen level. Its distinguishing feature within the UltraCore line is that it is formulated to accommodate specifications that limit nickel to 1% or less. WeldingMart is an authorized Lincoln Electric distributor; every spool ships in original factory-sealed Lincoln packaging.
This page is the family hub for the 81Ni1C-H Plus line. Lincoln publishes the wire in 0.045 in (1.1 mm), 0.052 in (1.3 mm), and 1/16 in (1.6 mm). All three are stocked here on the 33 lb spool as individual part-numbered listings, linked at the bottom of this page. Browse the wider range in the Welding Wire collection.
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.29 E81T1-Ni1C-JH4 |
|---|---|
| AWS A5.36 Classification | E81T1-C1A6-Ni1-H4; E81T1-C1P4-Ni1-H4 |
| Wire Type | Low alloy, gas-shielded flux-cored (FCAW-G) |
| Welding Positions | All |
| Shielding Gas | 100% CO₂; flow rate 40–50 CFH |
| Polarity | DC+ (DCEP — DC Electrode Positive) |
| Diffusible Hydrogen | H4 (4.0 mL/100 g maximum); 1.6–4 mL/100 g typical |
| Nickel | Requirement 0.80–1.10%; typical 0.80–0.97% — formulated to accommodate ≤1% Ni specifications |
| Available Diameters | 0.045 in (1.1 mm), 0.052 in (1.3 mm), 1/16 in (1.6 mm) |
| Published Packaging | 33 lb (15 kg) spool; 50 lb (22.7 kg) fiber spool |
| Packaging Protection | ProTech® foil bag packaging |
| Domestic Preference Options | Select packaging and diameters available meeting Buy America and American Iron & Steel (AIS) standards |
| Brand / Manufacturer | Lincoln Electric |
Source: Lincoln Electric UltraCore 81Ni1C-H Plus product page; shielding gas flow rate and packaging formats from the Lincoln UltraCore 81Ni1C-H datasheet.
- Toughness at −60 °F, as-welded and stress-relieved: Lincoln states the wire meets AWS strength and toughness requirements in both conditions — not just as-welded — which is what makes it usable where PWHT is mandatory.
- Built for ≤1% nickel specifications: The published nickel requirement is 0.80–1.10% with typical results of 0.80–0.97%. Where a procedure or class rule caps nickel at 1%, this is the UltraCore wire that fits.
- H4 diffusible hydrogen: Typical measured hydrogen is 1.6–4 mL/100 g of weld metal, inside the H4 band.
- Single-gas operation: Designed for 100% CO₂ shielding — the cheapest and most widely stocked shielding gas.
- ProTech® foil bag packaging: Moisture-barrier packaging preserves the low-hydrogen rating between the factory and the arc.
- Buy America / AIS options: Select packaging and diameters meet Buy America and American Iron & Steel requirements for federally funded work.
- Offshore drilling rigs: Named by Lincoln as a typical application — low service temperature, heavy sections, and rigorous inspection.
- Shipbuilding: Hull and structural welding where an all-position flux-cored wire with certified low-temperature impact values is preferred over solid wire for deposition rate.
- Low-temperature storage tanks: The −60 °F toughness requirement in both as-welded and stress-relieved condition is the defining case for this wire.
- Construction: Structural steel weldments in the 80 ksi tensile class, welded out of position at high deposition rates.
- Mining equipment: Listed by Lincoln among typical applications — heavy fabrication and repair where impact toughness at low ambient temperature matters.
UltraCore 81Ni1C-H Plus runs DC+ (DCEP) on 100% CO₂ at 40–50 CFH. It is gas-shielded, not self-shielded.
All published mechanical and chemical results for this wire were established on 100% CO₂. Substituting an argon-bearing mix changes element recovery across the arc and voids the correspondence between the published data and what your coupon will test at. If a mixed gas is required for another reason, requalify the procedure.
| Requirement — yield strength (0.2% offset) | 470 MPa (68 ksi) minimum |
|---|---|
| Requirement — tensile strength | 550–690 MPa (80–100 ksi) |
| Requirement — elongation | 19% minimum |
| Requirement — Charpy V-notch | 27 J (20 ft·lbf) minimum |
| Typical — yield strength | 500–610 MPa (72–88 ksi) |
| Typical — tensile strength | 580–680 MPa (85–98 ksi) |
| Typical — elongation | 20–30% |
| Typical — CVN at −40 °C (−40 °F) | 75–114 J (55–84 ft·lbf) |
| Typical — CVN at −51 °C (−60 °F) | 27–114 J (20–84 ft·lbf) |
Typical values are Lincoln Electric published test results across test conditions, not lot guarantees. Note the width of the −60 °F Charpy band: the low end sits at the 27 J requirement, so if your procedure needs margin at −60 °F, obtain the lot certificate rather than designing to the top of the range.
| Carbon (C) | Requirement 0.12% max; typical 0.04–0.07% |
|---|---|
| Manganese (Mn) | Requirement 1.50% max (A5.29) / 1.75% max (A5.36); typical 1.16–1.46% |
| Silicon (Si) | Requirement 0.80% max; typical 0.39–0.51% |
| Nickel (Ni) | Requirement 0.80–1.10%; typical 0.80–0.97% |
| Chromium (Cr) | Requirement 0.15% max; typical 0.01% max |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | Requirement 0.35% max; typical 0.15% max |
| Vanadium (V) | Requirement 0.05% max; typical 0.01% max |
| Phosphorus (P) | Requirement 0.030% max; typical 0.020% max |
| Sulfur (S) | Requirement 0.030% max; typical 0.015% max |
| Diffusible hydrogen | Requirement 4.0 mL/100 g max; typical 1.6–4 mL/100 g |
Lincoln's published operating windows, 100% CO₂, DC+ polarity. CTWD is contact-tip-to-work distance; to estimate electrical stickout, subtract 1/4 in (6.0 mm) from CTWD.
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | 175–500 in/min wire feed speed, 25–34 volts, approximately 120–220 amps. Deposition rate 1.5–4.4 kg/hr (3.4–9.8 lb/hr) at 85–87% efficiency. CTWD 19 mm (3/4 in) at the low end, 25 mm (1 in) at 400 in/min and above. |
|---|---|
| 0.052 in (1.3 mm) | 150–350 in/min wire feed speed, 25–33 volts, approximately 150–240 amps. Deposition rate 1.7–4.2 kg/hr (3.8–9.2 lb/hr) at 81–84% efficiency. |
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | 150–350 in/min wire feed speed, 26–33 volts, approximately 190–300 amps. Deposition rate up to 5.8 kg/hr (12.8 lb/hr) at 83–87% efficiency. |
These are manufacturer-published operating windows, not a qualified procedure. Efficiency figures matter for costing: at 81–87%, a kilogram of wire does not equal a kilogram of deposited metal, and estimates carried over from solid-wire GMAW will overstate coverage.
| 0.045 in (1.1 mm) | Widest published operating window of the three (120–220 A) and the most controllable out of position. First choice for root and fill passes, thinner sections, and any procedure with a heat-input cap. Stocked here on the 33 lb spool as ED034858. |
|---|---|
| 0.052 in (1.3 mm) | 150–240 A. More deposition than 0.045 in while remaining workable vertical-up. The usual production compromise. Stocked here on the 33 lb spool as ED034859. |
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | 190–300 A and the highest deposition rate of the family. Requires a feeder, liner, and gun rated for 1/16 in cored wire; normally run flat and horizontal on heavy plate. Stocked here on the 33 lb spool as ED034860. |
- What does E81T1-Ni1C-JH4 mean?
- Under AWS A5.29: "E" electrode, "8" 80 ksi tensile class, "1" all positions, "T1" tubular rutile flux running spray transfer, "Ni1" the nickel-bearing chemistry group holding roughly 1% nickel, "C" 100% CO₂ shielding, "J" improved impact toughness at a lower test temperature, "H4" diffusible hydrogen not exceeding 4 mL per 100 g of deposited metal.
- How is this different from UltraCore 81K2C-H Plus?
- Both are 80 ksi class, all-position, 100% CO₂, H4 wires with −60 °F toughness claims. The difference is the alloy group: this wire is the Ni1 group with 0.80–1.10% nickel required and 0.80–0.97% typical, formulated for specifications that cap nickel at 1%. 81K2C-H Plus is the K2 group and runs materially higher nickel. If your procedure or class rule limits nickel content, that decides it.
- What shielding gas and flow rate?
- 100% CO₂ at 40–50 CFH, DC+ polarity. The wire is gas-shielded and will not produce sound weld metal run open-arc.
- Can I stress relieve the weld?
- Yes. Lincoln states the wire meets AWS strength and toughness requirements in both the as-welded and the stress-relieved condition, and describes it as capable of superior toughness at −60 °F in both. The specific PWHT cycle is a procedure matter.
- Is a Buy America or AIS version available?
- Lincoln states that select packaging and diameters meet Buy America and American Iron & Steel standards. Because the qualifying options are packaging- and diameter-specific, confirm the exact part number against the project requirement before ordering — do not assume every format qualifies.
- What deposition rate should I plan for?
- Published deposition rates are 1.5–4.4 kg/hr (3.4–9.8 lb/hr) for 0.045 in at 85–87% efficiency, 1.7–4.2 kg/hr (3.8–9.2 lb/hr) for 0.052 in at 81–84%, and up to 5.8 kg/hr (12.8 lb/hr) for 1/16 in at 83–87%.
- Why does packaging matter on an H4 wire?
- Diffusible hydrogen comes largely from absorbed moisture. The ProTech® foil bag is a moisture barrier that preserves the rated hydrogen level in storage. After opening, keep the spool in a dry, conditioned environment; an H4 rating describes wire that has been stored properly.
All three published diameters are stocked as individual listings: 0.045 in, 33 lb spool (ED034858) | 0.052 in, 33 lb spool (ED034859) | 1/16 in, 33 lb spool (ED034860) | All Welding Wire
— signed: SEO Silo-chat