For special applications, manufacturers offer metal-cored wires for GMAW. These are composite electrodes comprised of a metal sheath with a powder-metal core. They are often confused with flux-cored wires, which form a slag that completely covers the weld bead face; metal-cored wires produce very little slag. A major advantage of metal-cored wires is the ability whenheaterdoesntworkinacar to manufacture specialized alloy compositions not easily available or producible in solid whenheaterdoesntworkinacar wire fore1. Modifying the composition of the powder-alloy core allows the wire manufacturer to customize wire formulations to metallurgical, compositional, or physical properties per customer demand. Horizontal-fillet welds made with metal-cored GMAW can deposit weld metal at rates up to 20 percent higher than with solid wire. Alloying elements, such as silicon, in the powder-metal core improve sidewall wetting and reduce weld-bead convexity by reducing surface tension of the molten weld pool. For this reason, flat and horizontal welds deposited with metal-cored wires have better appearance than weld metal deposited with flux cored and solid wires. Compared to solid wires, metal-cored wires also result in higher current density, for increased penetration; a wider operating window with respect to welding-process variables: better sidewall melting; and less lack of fusion.

And, considering a truck idling at 850 to 1100 rpm uses 0.8 to 1.2 gph, while Cat''s new APU is targeted to achieve 0.2 gph, the reduction in fuel used is an obvious benefit for the trucking business. The DOE indicates that the average heavy-duty truck idles 1800 hours per year, thus the fuel savings could be 1000 to 1800 gal. per year."One of the unique features about the Cat-designed APU is that we leverage the power converter technology already onboard as part of the MorElectric whenheaterdoesntworkinacar system," said Orr. "We operate the APU at high speed for the limited times where a high level of electrical power is needed, while the majority of the time it automatically shifts to a slow speed to maximize life, and reduce fuel, emissions, and noise."

To counter declining profits, Air Products will implement a global cost reduction plan to reduce capacity and costs. "First, we have shut down or will divest several underutilized facilities within our gases and chemicals segments," says chairman and CEO John P. Jones. "Second, we are implementing cost reductions to improve productivity, including balancing engineering resources with project activity. And third, we are reducing the number of management positions in the company to streamline our structure. Collectively, these actions will result in the elimination of 461 positions worldwide." The program is aimed at saving $38 million in fiscal 2004.As part of the restructuring, Air Products will shut down two liquid oxygen/liquid nitrogen plants at undisclosed locations. The company is also actively seeking a buyer for its $65 million to $70 million European methylamines business and is setting up its US methylamines business for divesture, having already closed its methanol and ammonia plant in Pensacola, Fla., notes Bane of America Securities analyst Mark Gulley.

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