Does FCAW wire always require a shielding gas?

• A. Yes
• B. No, it may or may not require a shielding gas depending on the flux.
• C. It always requires shielding gas.
• D. It never requires shielding gas.

Answer: (B)

FCAW can work with or without shielding gas depending on the flux inside the wire. There are two main variants: self-shielded flux-cored wires, which generate protective gases and slag from the flux itself and don't require external shielding gas; and gas-shielded flux-cored wires, which need an external shielding gas (like CO2 or an Ar/CO2 mix) to protect the weld. So shielding gas is not always required—it depends on the specific flux formulation of the wire being used.