What is the price of cored wire in China?
| Summary of Core-Coated Wire Market in China as of April 10, 2026 | ||||
| Product price (RMB/ton, including tax) | area | April 10th transaction price | April 9th transaction price | Change in yuan/ton |
| Calcium siliconCore-coated wireCa30Si58∮13mm | Jiangsu | 9200-9400 | 9200-9400 | flat |
| Calcium silicate cored wire Ca28Si55∮13mm | Henan | 8200-8400 | 8200-8400 | flat |
| Solid pure calcium wire Ca98%min∮9mm (Ca58-68g) | Zhejiang | 10300-10700 | 10300-10700 | flat |
| Henan | 10300-10700 | 10300-10700 | flat | |
| Jiangsu | 10300-10700 | 10300-10700 | flat | |
| Seamless metallic calcium wire Ca97-98%min∮9mm (strip steel 1.0mm) | Shandong | 10100-10600 | 10100-10600 | flat |
| Henan | 10100-10600 | 10100-10600 | flat | |
| Seamless metallic calcium wire Ca97-98%min∮10mm (strip steel 1.5mm) | Shandong | 9100-9600 | 9100-9600 | flat |
| Henan | 9100-9600 | 9100-9600 | flat | |
| Carbon-coated wire C96-99% ∮13mm | Henan | 5200-5400 | 5200-5400 | flat |
| Jiangsu | 5400-5600 | 5400-5600 | flat | |
| Titanium-coated iron wire (Ti70%min) ∮13mm | Liaoning | 26000-29000 | 26000-29000 | flat |
| Henan | 26000-29000 | 26000-29000 | flat | |
| Jiangsu | 26000-29000 | 26000-29000 | flat | |
| Spheroidized cored wire Si42-46mg28-30RE2 ∮13mm | Jiangsu | 9700-10000 | 9700-10000 | flat |
| Henan | 9500-9800 | 9500-9800 | flat | |
| Inner Mongolia | 9500-9800 | 9500-9800 | flat | |
| Spheroidized cored wire Si42-46mg25RE2 ∮13mm | Inner Mongolia | 9200-9500 | 9200-9500 | flat |
| Spheroidized cored wire Si40Mg30Re2∮13mm | Liaoning | 9900-10200 | 9900-10200 | flat |
| Calcium-iron cored wire (FeCa30min∮13mm) | Jiangsu | 9000-9400 | 9000-9400 | flat |
| Henan | 9000-9400 | 9000-9400 | flat | |
| Hubei | 10700-10900 | 10700-10900 | flat | |
Welding Speed and Penetration Performance of Cored Wire
Cored wire significantly improves welding speed and penetration performance compared with conventional solid wire because its internal flux or metal powder composition enhances arc stability, increases heat concentration in the weld pool, and boosts deposition efficiency. In industrial welding processes such as FCAW and MIG/MAG, cored wire enables faster travel speed, deeper penetration, and fewer welding passes, which directly reduces labor cost and increases productivity in structural steel fabrication, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery manufacturing.
Cored Wire Welding Performance Specifications
| Type | Welding Process | Diameter (mm) | Deposition Rate (kg/h) | Penetration Depth | Welding Speed Increase | Shielding Type | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flux-Cored Wire | FCAW | 0.8–2.4 | 4–12 | Medium–High | +20–40% | Gas / Self-shielded | Structural steel |
| Metal-Cored Wire | MIG/MAG | 1.2–1.6 | 6–15 | High | +30–60% | Gas shielded | High-speed welding |
| Stainless Cored Wire | TIG/MIG | 0.8–1.6 | 3–10 | Medium | +15–35% | Argon-based | Corrosion-resistant welding |
| Alloy Cored Wire | SAW / Injection | 9–13 (ladle use) | Metallurgical treatment | N/A | N/A | No shielding | Steel refining |
Packaging: spool / drum / coil
Wire weight: 15–500 kg per spool (customizable)
Why does cored wire increase welding speed and penetration?
Cored wire improves welding speed mainly because its internal composition is designed to optimize arc energy efficiency and molten pool behavior. During welding, the flux or metal powder inside the wire melts and reacts, creating a more concentrated arc and improving heat transfer into the base metal.
In practice, this means the welding arc becomes more stable and energetic, allowing operators to move the torch faster without sacrificing weld quality. Compared to solid wire, cored wire reduces the need for multiple passes, especially in medium and thick steel plates.
In high-volume production environments like shipbuilding and steel structure fabrication, this speed advantage translates directly into higher output per shift and lower overall welding cost.
How cored wire improves penetration performance in steel welding
Penetration performance is one of the key advantages of cored wire. The flux ingredients and alloy powders inside the wire help control arc force and molten pool fluidity, allowing the weld to penetrate deeper into the base material.
Flux-cored wire produces a forceful arc with strong digging action, which is ideal for thick steel plates and structural joints. Metal-cored wire, on the other hand, provides a more concentrated metal transfer mode, resulting in cleaner and deeper fusion with less spatter.
This deeper penetration reduces the risk of lack of fusion defects and improves the mechanical integrity of the welded joint, especially in load-bearing structures.
Performance advantages in industrial welding applications
In real industrial use, cored wire shows significant advantages in production efficiency. High deposition rates allow welders to complete longer weld seams in less time, while maintaining consistent bead shape and strength.
In automated welding lines, metal-cored wire is particularly effective because it supports continuous high-speed welding without frequent interruptions. This is critical in automotive manufacturing and large steel fabrication projects where cycle time is a key cost driver.
For thick plate welding, flux-cored wire reduces the number of required passes, which not only saves time but also reduces heat input distortion in the welded structure.
Grade Comparison: Flux-Cored Wire vs Metal-Cored Wire vs Stainless Cored Wire
Flux-Cored Wire vs Metal-Cored Wire
Flux-cored wire provides stronger arc force and better penetration in thick plate welding, making it suitable for heavy construction and outdoor welding conditions. Metal-cored wire focuses more on high-speed welding and clean weld appearance, offering higher deposition efficiency and lower spatter. In terms of productivity, metal-cored wire generally delivers higher welding speed, while flux-cored wire offers stronger adaptability in harsh environments.
Metal-Cored Wire vs Stainless Cored Wire
Metal-cored wire is optimized for carbon steel and structural applications where speed and efficiency are priorities. Stainless cored wire is designed for corrosion-resistant alloys and focuses on weld quality and chemical stability rather than maximum speed. Therefore, metal-cored wire achieves higher productivity, while stainless cored wire prioritizes corrosion resistance and metallurgical performance.
Summary
Cored wire significantly enhances welding performance by increasing both welding speed and penetration depth. Through optimized internal flux and alloy design, it improves arc stability, deposition efficiency, and heat concentration. Among different types, metal-cored wire provides the highest welding speed, while flux-cored wire delivers stronger penetration for thick steel applications. These advantages make cored wire an essential consumable in modern industrial welding systems.
FAQ – Welding Speed & Penetration of Cored Wire
1. Why does cored wire weld faster than solid wire?
Because its internal flux or metal powder increases deposition rate and stabilizes arc energy, allowing higher travel speed.
2. Which type of cored wire has the highest welding speed?
Metal-cored wire generally provides the highest welding speed due to its high deposition efficiency and low slag formation.
3. Does cored wire improve penetration depth?
Yes. Flux components increase arc force, allowing deeper fusion into the base metal, especially in thick steel plates.
4. Is flux-cored wire better for thick steel welding?
Yes. It provides stronger arc penetration and is suitable for multi-pass or heavy structural welding.
5. Can cored wire reduce welding passes?
Yes. Higher deposition rate allows fewer passes, reducing total welding time and heat distortion.
6. Is cored wire suitable for automated welding systems?
Yes. Metal-cored wire is widely used in robotic and automated welding due to its stable arc and high speed.
Ready to Improve Your Welding Efficiency?
We supply high-performance flux-cored wire, metal-cored wire, and stainless cored wire designed for high-speed welding and deep penetration applications in industrial fabrication.
Contact us for technical support and quotation:
Email: sales@zanewmetal.com
WhatsApp: +86 15518824805
Stable arc performance & low spatter
Higher welding speed & deeper penetration
Factory supply for global welding industries
Reliable Cored Wire Supplier – Precision · Stability · Metallurgical Performance
All cored wire products are manufactured under ISO9001-certified systems with strict control over wire filling, sheath quality, and core material composition. COA, SDS, and REACH documentation are available for international steel industry supply.

01
30+ Years of Metallurgical Expertise
With decades of ferroalloy and steelmaking material experience, ZhenAn understands how cored wire performs in deep ladle treatment, helping customers improve alloy utilization and steel quality.
02
Precise Filling & Stable Feeding Performance
Advanced production equipment ensures uniform powder filling, stable wire diameter, and smooth feeding during injection, reducing breakage and improving treatment efficiency.
03
Wide Range & Custom Solutions
We supply multiple types of cored wire such as CaSi wire, CaFe wire, FeTi wire, and FeB wire, with customizable alloy ratios and wire specifications for different steel grades.
04
Fast Response & Technical Support
24-hour quotation service with professional technical guidance to support alloy selection, injection parameters, and steelmaking optimization.

